Book Sense Picks 2004 Highlights

November 11, 2004

A Feast for Fiction Readers

THE BIRTH OF VENUS: A Novel, by Sarah Dunant (Random House Trade Paperbacks, $13.95, 0812968972) "The large scale of history -- filled with art, intrigue, and romance in late 15th century Florence -- comes into perfect focus in Sarah Dunant's compellingly written novel. Alessandra Cecchi dreams of being an artist and, so, is totally entranced when her father brings a mysterious young painter to their home to decorate the family chapel. This is a mesmerizing, sexy, and startling story with a heart-pounding pace that kept me turning pages late into the night." --Susan Avery, Ariel Booksellers, New Paltz, NY Also a Random House Audio (0739310534, Abridged CD)

CASE HISTORIES: A Novel, by Kate Atkinson (Little, Brown, $23.95, 0316740403) "A literary page-turner that explores the enormous cost, over time, of four unresolved crimes on the lives of the survivors. A beautifully crafted, tender, witty look at the precarious, ephemeral nature of life and the way love makes us vulnerable to unspeakable pain." --Sheila Daly, Barrett Bookstore, Darien, CT

THE COAL TATTOO: A Novel, by Silas House (Algonguin, $22.95, 1565123689) "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

THE DIVINE HUSBAND: A Novel, by Francisco Goldman (Atlantic, $24, 0871139154) "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

THE EPICURE'S LAMENT, by Kate Christensen (Doubleday, $23.95, 0767910303) "The thoroughly perverse and unlikable protagonist Hugo Whittier somehow seduces us with his angry, mordantly funny chronicle of pain, lust, literature, food, cigarettes, and unwelcome relatives. And, in spite of himself, he manages to move us." --Mary Benham and Calvin Crosby, Book Passage, Corte Madera, CA

HISSY FIT: A Novel, by Mary Kay Andrews (HarperCollins, $24.95, 0060564644) "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 Also a HarperAudio (Abridged CD, 0060738367)

HOLY FOOLS: A Novel, by Joanne Harris (Morrow, $24.95, 0060559128) "Holy Fools takes place in a dilapidated convent on an island in France, where each of the sisters is hiding from secrets of the past. With all the sensuousness and mysticism of her earlier novel Chocolat, plus the tension and friction between church and science, Holy Fools makes an intoxicating tale of manipulation and revenge. Fabulous." --Megan O'Bryan, Scott's Bookstore, Mount Vernon, WA Also a Harper Audio (0060586249, Unabridged Cassette)

HOW TO BE LOST, by Amanda Eyre Ward (MacAdam/Cage, $24, 1931561729) "Rarely is the story of a broken family so moving and engaging as Ward's latest. Haunted by a photograph that may be her long-lost sister, Caroline begins a journey from New Orleans, into the Rockies, and finally to the very depths of her soul." --Geoffrey Jennings, Rainy Day Books, Fairway, KS

LIGHT ON SNOW, by Anita Shreve (Little, Brown, $24.95, 0316781487) "A tragedy forces a father and his daughter to leave their life in the city and seek refuge in a rural community. The discovery of an abandoned infant, however, forces both parent and child to work through unresolved grief and face buried memories. The novel weaves a tender, almost fragile story about new beginnings and the ways in which people overcome loss with love and courage." --Susan Harrison, The Country Bookshop, Southern Pines, NC Also a Time Warner Audio (Unabridged CD, 1586216376)

THE LOVE WIFE: A Novel, by Gish Jen (Knopf, $24.95, 1400042135) "The themes are familiar -- identity, assimilation, cultural dislocation, a disapproving Chinese mother -- but this story of the Asian-American experience is full of surprises. Jen's gorgeous writing and quirky wit infuse the story with freshness and exuberance. I loved this wacky hybrid family!" --Mary Benham, Book Passage, Corte Madera, CA Also a Recorded Books Audio (Unabridged CD, 141930481X)

THE QUEEN OF THE SOUTH, by Arturo Pérez-Reverte (Putnam, $25.95, 0399151850) "This novel had me from the first sentence: 'The telephone rang, and she knew she was going to die.' The story of Teresa Mendoza and her indomitable will to survive in a man's world is nothing short of amazing. Even if you think you don't like novels about Mexican drug dealers, give this one a try. You'll be happily surprised." --Susan M. Taylor, Wellesley Booksmith, Wellesley, MA Also a Penguin Audiobook (Unabridged Cassette, 0142800708)

SOMETHING RISING (LIGHT AND SWIFT), by Haven Kimmel (Free Press, $24, 0743247752) "Cassie Claiborne has lived in the same small town her whole life. The only things she has to do are worry about a missing father, an unhappy, housebound mother, and a not quite right sister. The only things that save her are her grandpa, her friends, and pool, especially pool. Cassie has become the town pool shark. What happens when her life starts to crumble and the worries fall away, when does she live her life, what does she do with her great pool talent? Read to find out how Cassie comes in to her own." --Beth Kalb, McIntyre's Fine Books, Pittsboro, NC Also a Penguin Audio (1565118359, Abridged CD)

THE SUMMER GUEST: A Novel, by Justin Cronin (Dial, $24, 0385335814) "I just loved this sprawling yet intimate book about a dying man's final wish. The strong, sympathetic characters, compelling story line, and magnificent setting are rendered in language precise and poetic. This summer, I'll want all my customers to savor this special treat." --Kathi Kirby, Powell's City of Books, Portland, OR

THIS IS NOT CIVILIZATION: A Novel, by Robert Rosenberg (Houghton Mifflin, $24, 0618386017) "The lives of four people of different cultures converge in Turkey when a devastating earthquake takes place. This deeply moving novel explores the relationship between America and indigenous peoples." --Barbara MacDonald, Great Northern Bookstore, Oscoda, MI

AN UNFINISHED LIFE: A Novel, by Mark Spragg (Knopf, $23, 1400042011) "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 Also a Highbridge Audio (Unabridged CD, 1565119002)

THE AMATEUR MARRIAGE: A Novel, by Anne Tyler (Ballantine, $14.95 paper, 0345470613) "This is the less-than-simple story of a marriage that might have been a mistake, but maybe wasn't. There are no easy answers, no pat ending; just wonderful characters you care about, get exasperated with, and, ultimately, wish well." --Anne Whalen, Brookline Booksmith, Brookline, MA Also a Random House Audio (Unabridged CD, 0739310429)

THE DARLING, by Russell Banks (HarperCollins, $25.95, 0060197358) "Hannah Musgrave's participation in the radical Weather Underground forces her to live unconnected to family or friends. Fleeing the country, she settles in Liberia and becomes a witness to the brutality and destruction of civil war. This riveting novel, vividly told, is set in the'70s and '80s but addresses current issues of terrorism, values, and depravity." --Ann Carlson, Harborwalk Books, Georgetown, SC Also a HarperAudio (Unabridged CD, 0694524239)

EVENTIDE: A Novel, by Kent Haruf (Knopf, $24.95, 0375411585) "In this sequel to Plainsong, Haruf has gotten stronger as a writer. The writing is lyrical, the characters' stories -- woven together with the landscape of the plains of Colorado -- touch your heart and stay with you long after the last page is read." --Gayle Shanks, Changing Hands Bookstore, Tempe, AZ Also a Random House Audio (0739309404, Unabridged CD)

THE FALLS: A Novel, by Joyce Carol Oates (Ecco, $26.95, 0060722282) "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." --Beth Hull, The Avid Reader, Davis, CA Also a HarperAudio (Unabridged CD, 0060741880)

HEIR TO THE GLIMMERING WORLD: A Novel, by Cynthia Ozick (Houghton Mifflin, $24, 0618470492) "Ozick writes an intellectually stimulating novel told predominately from the perspective of Rose, a young woman struggling to find her way after being orphaned at the age of 18. At times passive, observing life as it sweeps her along, Rose must finally make a stand. There are a number of key characters and story lines that are expertly woven together to make this a stunning read." --Gwen Harding-Peets, Merritt Books, Millbrook, NY

ABOUT GRACE: A Novel, by Anthony Doerr (Scribner, $25, 0743261828) "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 Also a Recorded Books Audio (Unabridged CD, 1402597762)

AMAGANSETT: A Novel, by Mark Mills (Putnam, $24.95, 0399151842) "This first novel masterfully blends murder among the wealthy on eastern Long Island with the lives of the local men who make their living hauling fish from the sea. The reader is fully involved in slowly unraveling a killing, all the while becoming fascinated by the quirks of the minor characters who come so vividly alive." --June Applen, The Book Mark, Atlantic Beach, FL

THE BIG LOVE: A Novel, by Sarah Dunn (Little, Brown, $21.95, 0316738158) "When her boyfriend of four years dumps her over the phone during a dinner party, Alison Hopkins must discover what she truly wants in life, and the result is a humorous (and sometimes sarcastic) journey of self-discovery and a great summer read." --Jennifer Malinowski, Schuler Books & Music, Okemos, MI

BROKEN FOR YOU, by Stephanie Kallos (Grove, $23, 0802117791) "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

BUDDHA DA: A Novel, by Anne Donovan (Carroll & Graf, $14 paper, 0786713364) "A housepainter's search for a larger dimension to his life lands him at the local meditation center, leading to domestic disruptions that are anything but calming. This utterly disarming book will invite comparisons to Roddy Doyle for its use of the Scottish vernacular and its focus on the minutiae of daily life in blue-collar Glasgow." --Russ Lawrence, Chapter One Book Store, Hamilton, MA

THE GREEN AGE OF ASHER WITHEROW: A Novel, by M. Allen Cunningham (Unbridled Books, $24.95, 1932961003) "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

HOME TO ITALY, by Peter Pezzelli (Kensington, $14 paper, 0758207689) "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

THE KNOWN WORLD: A Novel, by Edward P. Jones (Amistad, $13.95 paper, 0060557559) "A marvel of storytelling, this momentous first novel presents a microcosm of life in Virginia in the years before the War Between the States. Jones has dreamt up a vast community of slaves and slave owners (both black and white), patrollers and speculators, and has collected generations of their imagined history. His novel brings to mind the great epics of Gabriel Garcia Marquez." --Jamie Kornegay, Square Books, Oxford MS

ORDINARY WOLVES: A Novel, by Seth Kantner (Milkweed, $22, 1571310444) "Ordinary Wolves is the story of Catuk -- a white boy growing up with his father and siblings in a sod igloo in remote Alaska. This beautiful novel is forthright, compelling, and loving, as Kantner stirs our hunger to know our world more intimately, with all its beauty and danger." --Erin Balch, Student Book Corp, Pullman, WA

OUTSIDE VALENTINE: A Novel, by Liza Ward (Holt, $23, 0805075984) "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

A SON CALLED GABRIEL, by Damian McNicholl (CDS Books, $22.95, 1593150180) "McNicholl's deftly written first novel is a vivid portrait of a young man struggling with Catholicism, politics, and homosexuality in 1970s Ireland. Beautifully told and entirely captivating, this book is a remarkable debut, full of wit and heart." --Erik Swallow, Lambda Rising, Baltimore, MD

URSULA, UNDER, by Ingrid Hill (Algonquin, $24.95, 1565123883) "You begin this novel by reading about a little girl, Ursula Wong, who falls down a mine shaft in Michigan. Then, you are transported to the world of her distant ancestor, Qin Lao, a second-century B.C. Chinese alchemist. An irresistible, magic carpet ride of a tale, which takes you on an epic journey through time and space." --Bob Gray, Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Center, VT

THE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB: A Novel, by Karen Joy Fowler (Putnam/Marian Wood Book, $23.95, 0399151613) "The members of the Jane Austen book club form surprising new relationships in a novel that is clever without being cold, moving without being saccharine, and delightfully, unexpectedly funny." --Leslie Reiner, Inkwood Books, Tampa, FL Also a Listen & Live Audio (1593160275, Unabridged CD)

LITTLE EARTHQUAKES: A Novel, by Jennifer Weiner (Atria, $26, 0743470095) "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 Also an S&S Audio (Unabridged CD, 0743536231

SKINNY DIP: A Novel, by Carl Hiaasen (Knopf, $25.95, 0375411089) "On a cruise to celebrate their second wedding anniversary, Chaz Perrone threw his wife overboard. She managed to survive the fall, and, thanks to a bale of marijuana floating by, was saved. When rescued, Joey Perrone doesn't think of police, but of revenge. In the end, justice prevails -- that is, Hiaasen's brand of justice, which means something fiendishly clever." --Barbara Hoagland, The King's English, Salt Lake City, UT Also a Random House Audio Abridged CD, 0739312995)

THE STUPIDEST ANGEL: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror, by Christopher Moore (Morrow, $14.95, 0060590254) "In The Stupidest Angel, Moore presents a reunion of some of his kookiest characters for an unforgettable holiday tale. An endangered fruitbat, a warrior princess, a stoned constable, and a truly thick (but beautiful) angel have a hair-raising adventure that will make you laugh out loud and enjoy Christmas in a new way." --Eric Robbins, Apple Valley Books, Winthrop, ME Also a HarperAudio (Unabridged CD, 006073874X)

HAD A GOOD TIME: Stories From American Postcards, by Robert Olen Butler (Grove, $23, 0802117775) "Butler uses real postcard messages and expands them into short stories, a format he mastered in his 1993 Pulitzer Prize-winning A Good Scent From a Strange Mountain. These vignettes move from the heartbreaking search of a mother for her son in the trenches of World War I to a man's comic fixation on his date's wooden leg. With such a command of the language and an insight into the human condition, you may want to send Butler a postcard of thanks; I did." --Terry Whittaker, Viewpoint of Columbus, Columbus, IN

THE PACIFIC AND OTHER STORIES, by Mark Helprin (Penguin, $25.95, 159420036X) "Few contemporary writers display Helprin's knack for creating mesmerizing and memorable characters. His stories about people's ability to adapt reflect a certain wisdom and grace, and I was totally immersed in each character and the drama of their lives. This is a fantastic collection of short stories." --Emery Pinter, Chapter 11, Atlanta, GA

THE SECRET GOLDFISH: Stories, by David Means (Fourth Estate, $22.95, 0007164890) "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

CLOUD ATLAS: A Novel, by David Mitchell (Random House Trade Paperbacks, $14.95, 0375507256) "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

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, by Mark Haddon (Vintage, $12, 1400032717) "This is an amazing book. The story is told through the voice of a 15-year-old autistic boy, Christopher, who sets out to solve the murder of a neighbor's dog and, along the way, discovers much more than he ever anticipated about his family and himself. Written in a deceivingly simple style, this book will draw the reader in completely … incredible!" --Karen Ford, McLean & Eakin Booksellers, Petoskey, MI

JONATHAN STRANGE & MR. NORRELL: A Novel, by Susanna Clarke (Bloomsbury, $27.95, 1582344167) "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

THE PRESERVATIONIST: A Novel, by David Maine (St. Martin's, $21.95, 0312328478) "Listening to Sunday school stories as a child, all the people seemed larger than life, almost as if they were superheroes. David Maine expertly deconstructs this particular image of Noah (or Noe) by portraying a man with immense faith in God but significant doubts about his ability to follow that faith. An absolutely original and fascinating debut novel." --Mike James, Haversack Books & Gifts, Marietta, GA Also a Highbridge Audio (Abridged CD, 1565118715)

SHANTARAM: A Novel, by Gregory David Roberts (St. Martin's Press, $24.95, 0312330529) "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

WAITING FOR TEDDY WILLIAMS: A Novel, by Howard Frank Mosher (Houghton Mifflin, $24, 0618197222) "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

CALLGIRL, by Jeannette Angell (Permanent Press, $26, 1579621104) "Both academically and professionally, this author knows her subject -- and that is what makes this account of her three years as a $200-an-hour Boston call girl worth the read. Angell provides an intelligent, well-articulated perspective that challenges established assumptions." --Phyllis M. Potter, Islehaven Books & Borzoi, Lopez Island, WA

CURSED BY A HAPPY CHILDHOOD: Tales of Growing Up, Then and Now, by Carl Lennertz (Harmony, $19.95, 1400050456) "Warmhearted and wise, this is a wonderful meditation on home, family, and friends, filled with a sage wisdom that comes only with the passage of time. Whether you're a resident of a big metropolitan high-rise or a small house in the hinterlands, you will find great delight within this book's pages." --Joe Drabyak, Chester County Book & Music Company, West Chester, PA

SCRIBBLING THE CAT: Travels With an African Soldier, by Alexandra Fuller (Penguin, $24.95, 1594200165) Here is Fuller's recounting of an unlikely friendship with a white soldier who fought in the Rhodesian wars. Fuller skillfully captures the spirit of the soldier and conveys the difficulty and poignancy of confronting her own war wounds." --Alana Willhite, Colby College Bookstore, Waterville, ME Also a Recorded Books Audio (1402575890, Unabridged Cassette)

TRUTH & BEAUTY: A Friendship, by Ann Patchett (HarperCollins, $23.95, 0060572140) "Lucy Grealy, who wrote Autobiography of a Face, endured a series of surgeries that removed half her jaw and left her disfigured. She always wanted people to look beyond her disfigurement to her thoughts and feelings. Thanks to Patchett's poignant and tender memoir we do." --Mary Jane Beaufrand, Madison Park Books, Seattle, WA Also a HarperAudio (006058680X, Unabridged Cassette)

ALMOST FRENCH: Love and a New Life in Paris, by Sarah Turnbull (Gotham, $13 paper, 1592400825) "This memoir is delightful! When Sarah Turnbull, an Australian, moves in with a Frenchman, we get to know her neighborhood. While several writers have shed light on life in the south of France, Turnbull takes us into the heart of Paris, and we gain a finer appreciation of both the French and the Anglo-Saxon spirits. Bravo!" --Donna Cressman, Maxwell Books, De Soto, TX

A THOUSAND DAYS IN TUSCANY: A Bittersweet Adventure, by Marlena De Blasi (Algonquin, $23.95, 1565123921) "Chef/writer Marlena De Blasi embraces her new life in Tuscany with a passion that sucks the reader right into the soil, food, and people of San Casciano dei Bagni. A year of discoveries, wonderful fresh food, and commitment to a place all make this book a delight." --Becky Milner, Vintage Books, Vancouver, WA

THE PERFECT MILE: Three Athletes, One Goal, and Less Than Four Minutes to Achieve It, by Neal Bascomb (Houghton, $24, 0618391126) "The Perfect Mile tells the story of three men on three continents, all trying to achieve what most believed to be impossible, running the four-minute mile. To read The Perfect Mile is almost to feel the wind rush by as these athletes burn around the track with the fiercest speed." --Linda Ramsdell, The Galaxy Bookshop, Hardwick, VT Also a Recorded Books Audio (1402575610, Unabridged CD)

SHADOW DIVERS: The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II, by Robert Kurson (Random House, $26.95, 0375508589) "Robert Kurson tells the story of a close-knit band of deep-sea wreck divers trying to determine the identity of a Nazi sub sunk off the New Jersey coast. Shadow Divers combines a moving story of personal relationships with an inside look into a world most of us will never experience. I couldn't put it down." --Peter Guadagni, Bonanza Books, Clayton, CA Also a Random House Audio (Abridged CD, 0739311999)

COTTAGE FOR SALE -- MUST BE MOVED: A Woman Moves a House to Make a Home, by Kate Whouley (Commonwealth Editions, $22.95, 1889833746) "Take one savvy and determined woman, a Cape Cod cottage for sale, and a cat named Egypt, and you have the ingredients for Kate Whouley's successful addition to her three-room house. Along the way, you'll learn just how much a close-knit community of friends and advisors can accomplish." --Fran Keilty, Hickory Stick Bookshop, Washington Depot, CT

CRAZY IN THE KITCHEN: Food, Feuds, and Forgiveness in an Italian American Family, by Louise DeSalvo (Bloomsbury, $24.95, 1582342989) "This passionate, often painful memoir of growing up Italian in 1950s New Jersey is brimming with joys, sorrows, and, most of all, food: as a unifying force, a sign of love, and a weapon in the battle between generations. Never mind the Sopranos; this is a real Italian-American family, complete with butcher knives (but no bloodshed)." --Barb Bassett, The Red Balloon Bookshop, Saint Paul, MN

CANDYFREAK: A Journey Through the Chocolate Underbelly of America, by Steve Almond (Algonquin, $21.95, 1565124219) "Everyone out there was once a kid, and every kid once had a favorite candy, one that he or she just couldn't get enough of. Steve Almond seems to have delighted in them all, and in Candyfreak you will read enough sugar-coated candy lore to make your molars ache. Now, pardon me, I've got to rush out for a bag of mini Reese's!" --Steve Turnbull, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Lexington, KY

MAGICAL THINKING: True Stories, by Augusten Burroughs (St. Martin's, $23.95, 0312315945) "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 Also an Audio Renaissance Audio (Abridged CD, 1593974205)

TOAST: The Story of a Boy's Hunger, by Nigel Slater (Gotham, $25, 1592400906) "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

LOVE IN THE DRIEST SEASON: A Family Memoir, by Neely Tucker (Crown, $23.95, 0609609769) "Neely Tucker has covered some of the world's most horrific stories as a foreign correspondent, but his most riveting reporting is the story of how he and his wife adopted their Zimbabwean daughter, Chipo. The child's survival as an abandoned infant was no less miraculous than Tucker and his wife's approval as parents after years of governmental red tape, hostility, and prejudice." --Susan Wood Taylor, The Traveler, Bainbridge Island, WA Also a Random House Audio (0739310712, Abridged CD)

READING LOLITA IN TEHRAN: A Memoir in Books, by Azar Nafisi (Random House, $13.95 paper, 081297106X) "Nafisi tells of her life in Iran, her experiences teaching literature at a university, and her secret meetings with a group of women who come together to read and discuss books forbidden by Iran's Islamic government. With Iran and Iraq in the news every day, I was excited to find a book that put a human face on this region." --Terrell Aldredge, Wide World Books & Maps, Seattle, WA

BLUE SUBURBIA: Almost a Memoir, by Laurie Albanese (Perennial, $12.95 paper, 0060565632) "Laurie Albanese's collection of poetry hits every nerve -- childhood, marriage, parenthood, the loss of parents -- and it left me weeping with recognition, yet uplifted, that someone had so eloquently expressed what I feel. Readers will be compelled to share and discuss this book." --Cheryl McKeon, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA

GILGAMESH: A New English Version, by Stephen Mitchell (Free Press, $24, 074326164X) "More than 1,000 years before Odysseus voyaged home from the Trojan War, the Sumerian king Gilgamesh faced epic struggles over wielding his power wisely; facing his demons and his gods bravely; and, finally, accepting the weaknesses that made him human. Stephen Mitchell's translation makes this ancient story come vividly to life." --Nina Barrett, Women & Children First, Chicago, IL Also a Recorded Books Audio CD (Unabridged, 1402597665)

OWLS AND OTHER FANTASIES: Poems and Essays, by Mary Oliver (Beacon, $22, 0807068683) "Oliver connects us to the natural world with breathtaking immediacy. This book of bird poems and essays is a joy to behold." --Helen Sinoradzki, Annie Bloom's Books, Portland, OR

BIRDS OF A FEATHER: A Maisie Dobbs Novel, by Jacqueline Winspear (Soho, $25, 1569473684) "When lady detective Maisie Dobbs takes on the job of finding the daughter of a wealthy businessman, she assumes the case will be fairly simple. But when the girl's friends start showing up dead, finding her becomes more urgent. This is a great read and a classic whodunit." --Mary Hurley, Diablo Books, Walnut Creek, CA

BY A SPIDER'S THREAD, by Laura Lippman (Morrow, $24.95, 0060506695) "Baltimore-based private investigator Tess Monaghan is back, this time on the case of a businessman's missing family. The more she delves into the case, the more Tess begins to see what her client doesn't want her to discover, and the tension grows with every page." --Lelia Taylor, Creatures 'n Crooks Bookshoppe, Richmond, VA

CALIFORNIA GIRL: A Novel, by T. Jefferson Parker (Morrow, $24.95, 0060562366) "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

THE EXILE, by Allan Folsom (Forge, $25.95, 0765309467) "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 Also an Audio Renaissance Audio (Abridged CD, 1593975325)

PRINCE OF THIEVES: A Novel, by Chuck Hogan (Scribner, $25, 074326455X) "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 Also an Audioworks Audio (Abridged CD, 0743538390)

RIFT ZONE, by Raelynn Hillhouse (Forge, $24.95, 0765310139) "It's the 1980s, the Berlin Wall stands as a grim reminder of the Cold War, and both the Stasi and the KGB have got Faith Whitney in their crosshairs. Now, she must smuggle a mysterious package across several unfriendly boarders, avert an international incident, and try to stay alive. This roller coaster of a novel is simply impossible to put down!" --Elena Kruglyak, The Town Book Store, Westfield, NJ

SKINNY-DIPPING: A Novel of Suspense, by Claire Matturro (Morrow, $23.95, 0060567058) "Lilly Rose Cleary is an attorney for a Florida law firm that represents physicians in malpractice cases. When her clients begin to turn up dead, and she herself is attacked, she must buckle down to solve the mystery. Sit back and enjoy the ride in this wonderfully entertaining novel." --Susan Diffenderfer, Tall Tales Book Shop, Atlanta, GA

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