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Summer 2005 Book Sense Paperback Picks
May 17, 2005
1. GOOD GRIEF, by Lolly Winston
(Warner, $12.95, 0446694843) "While grief is not inherently amusing at
all, Lolly Winston has found the perfect tone in her breezy and humorous description
of Sophie Stanton's struggles (and failure) to be a 'good' widow at age 36.
The novel never makes light of Sophie's sadness, but it does deftly show the
funny side underneath." --Liz Murphy, Learned Owl Book Shop, Hudson,
OH
2. MULTIPLE CHOICE, by Claire
Cook (NAL, $14, 0451214889) "Claire
Cook once again has proven that she can write a touching, witty, and sassy novel
about families. This mother/daughter novel is a laugh-out-loud fun ride that
every mother and daughter can relate to." --Karin Beyer, Saturn Booksellers,
Gaylord, MI
3. TRUTH & BEAUTY: A
Friendship, by Ann Patchett (HarperPerennial, $13.95, 0060572159) "Patchett has
written a memoir of her longtime friendship with Lucy Grealy, poet and author.
By turns hilarious and tragic, Patchett remains a steadfast friend to the eccentric,
charismatic, and self-destructive Lucy. She is the candle that burns too brightly
but illuminates the world around her, and Patchett reflects their relationship
brilliantly." --Nan Hadden, Books, Etc., Portland, ME
4. SOME DANGER INVOLVED: A
Novel, by Will Thomas (Touchstone, $9.95, 0743256190) "This blend of Sherlock
Holmes and Nero Wolfe, set in Victorian England, features descriptions so compelling
I wanted to gulp it down in one sitting. My favorite read in the detective genre
for the season." --Jim McKee, Lee Booksellers, Lincoln, NE
5. 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 Trade, $14.95, 0375760989) "This is a
fascinating, true story of the deep-sea divers who discovered a German WW II
U-boat off the coast of New Jersey. The book is written like a novel, carrying
the reader along as the mystery is uncovered." --Connie Geverink, Chesterfield
Books, Chesterfield, MI
6. THE SUMMER GUEST, by Justin
Cronin (Delta, $13, 0385335822) "I
am fired up about The Summer Guest. This story of a dying man's last
wish was a wonderful read with authentically real and admirable characters,
and I'll be hand selling it like crazy." --Wendy Morton Hudson, Nantucket
Bookworks, Nantucket, MA
7. CARPE DEMON: Adventures
of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom, by Julie Kenner (Berkley, $12.95, 0425202526) "Kenner's Carpe Demon
is best described as Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Desperate
Housewives, with all the fun and thrills of both. A demon slayer turned
suburban housewife, raising a teenager and toddler, is forced to come out of
retirement when her family is threatened. What follows is full of laughs and
edge-of-the-seat excitement." --Rita Moran, Apple Valley Books, Winthrop,
ME Available in July.
8. BITTER FRUIT, by Achmat
Dangor (Grove/Black Cat, $13, 0802170064)
"A chance encounter with the policeman who raped his wife during South
Africa's apartheid era forces a Johannesburg man and his family to confront
the pain of their past. Their individual impressions, filtered through Dangor's
rich imagination, create a devastating portrait of how history haunts and transforms.
Dark and deep, yet full of humor, sensuality, and the desire for life's small,
bitter pleasures." --Jamie Kornegay, Square Books, Oxford, MS
9. CALL IT A GIFT, by Valerie
Hobbs (University of Nevada Press, $18,
0874176123) "Talented young adult author Hobbs' first adult novel explores
an unlikely and, yet, very possible late-in-life romance. Jeronimo Smith is
annoyed to discover that a copy of the poems of William Butler Yeats is not
on the library shelf. And, even more annoying, the person ahead of him at the
checkout desk has it in her hands. A hopeful book for us aging pre-Baby Boomers."
--Jody Fickes Shapiro, Adventures for Kids, Ventura, CA
10. OFF MAIN STREET: Barnstormers,
Prophets & Gatemouth's Gator: Essays, by Michael Perry
(HarperPerennial, $13.95, 0060755504) "Eagerly awaited by us fans of Population:
485, Perry's latest delivers more news from New Auburn, Wisconsin. Perry
reviews his eclectic experiences with a Midwestern sensibility that knows there
is bound to be something profound mixed up in the middle of goofiness, and vice
versa." --Joyce Gray, Mitchell Books, Fort Wayne, IN
AMAGANSETT, by Mark Mills (Berkley, $14, 0425205800) "This story
of a murdered woman in a small Long Island community in 1947 is Mills' first
novel, and from the first page he has you glued. He captures a time and place
beautifully, and his characters come alive. This is a wonderful novel."
--Sue Richardson, Maine Coast Book Shop, Damariscotta, ME
BANDBOX, by Thomas Mallon
(Harvest, $13, 0156029979) "Set in Jazz Age New York, Bandbox is
a fast-paced novel, featuring the editorial world of a popular magazine, which
includes a kidnapping, a look at Hollywood stars, and a hilarious view of the
magazine's writers." --Mark Brumberg, National Yiddish Book Center,
Amherst, MA
THE BIG LOVE, by Sarah Dunn
(Back Bay, $12.95, 0316010782) "The Big Love is the story of Alison
Hopkins, whose boyfriend, Tom, goes out to pick up some dijon mustard, only
to call her to say that his is leaving her for his ex-girlfriend. Thus begins
a romp for Alison through the odd world of being single again. This story will
resonate with all who have found themselves freshly single and who are trying
to sort out the pieces in a modern world full of infinite choices and pitfalls.
Lie back in that beach chair and enjoy!" --Beki Buchanan, Blue Moon
Books, Spruce Pine, NC
BIRDS WITHOUT WINGS, by Louis
de Bernieres (Vintage, $15, 1400079322)
"From the author of Corelli's Mandolin, de Bernieres' Birds Without
Wings sets up a radical clash of cultures in Turkey at the time of the WWI.
His powerful mix of love and human brutality, of a serene pastoral setting contrasted
against war's savagery, makes for a deeply moving, grand spectacle." --Will
Balk, Jr., Bay Street Trading Co., Beaufort, SC In stores June 28.
THE BODY OF JONAH BOYD, by
David Leavitt (Bloomsbury, $13.95, 1582345031)
"A convoluted and engrossing telling of writer wannabees wrestling with
the strictures of academia, the sisterhood of secretarial secrets, and an odd
sense of noblesse oblige permeating their lives and loves and loyalties. By
the novel's conclusion, we find we know these very well-drawn characters."
--Megan Wolfer, Table Mesa Gifts & Books, Boulder, CO
THE BOOK OF FLYING, by Keith
Miller (Riverhead, $14, 1594480664) "A
remarkable first novel that takes you on a journey of life, love, and determination.
Pico, a poet and librarian, must find his wings to be with the winged girl he
loves. His quest brings him face-to-face with life as he grows and matures.
This poetic tale is a must-read!" --Janice and Stuart Hecht, The Book
Vault, Wallingford, CT
THE BOOK OF JOE, by Jonathan
Tropper (Delta, $10, 0385338104) "This
hilarious and touching novel is the story of Joe, who wrote a bestseller that
savaged everyone in his hometown. When his estranged father has a stroke, he
returns and has to deal with the town's wrath while coming to terms with parts
of his past he thought he'd left behind. If you like Richard Russo, you'll love
The Book of Joe." --Carol Schneck, Schuler Books & Music,
Okemos, MI
CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET?, by
Sophie Kinsella (Delta, $12, 0385338082)
"A must for any beach bag this summer -- Sophie Kinsella has created a
laugh-out-loud read! Have you ever revealed too much to the stranger next to
you on an airplane? Well, see what happens when that stranger turns out to be
your boss!" --Lisa Fabiano, Hearts & Stars Bookshop, Canton, MA
In stores July 19.
THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING, by
Laura Moriarty (Hyperion, $14, 0786888458)
"A tender coming-of-age story. Evelyn Bucknow is smart, inquisitive, shy,
and easily shamed by her mother, who, though she's trying hard, can't seem to
keep a job or stay out of 'trouble.' A sweet story about making something of
yourself, despite your surroundings, and in spite of all we sometimes do to
undermine ourselves." --Megan Scott O'Bryan, Scott's Bookstore, Mount
Vernon, WA
COAL RUN, by Tawni O'Dell
(NAL, $14.95, 0451215125) "Coal Run sings with believable characters;
the grim, gritty reality of the life of a coal miner; and essential human truths.
A stunning, can't-put-it-down read from the author of Back Roads."
--Gee Gee Rosell, Buxton Village Books, Buxton, NC
THE CONFUSION: Volume Two
of the Baroque Cycle, by Neal Stephenson (HarperPerennial P.S., $15.95, 0060733357) "This second
title in The Baroque Cycle series (which began with Quicksilver) takes
place in 1689 with a race to the stash of legendary gold. Alchemy, science,
a countess cheated out of her fortune, a handsome privateer -- definitely the
perfect summer vacation book." --Bob Hugo, The Spirit Of '76 Bookstore,
Marblehead, MA
DARKLY DREAMING DEXTER, by
Jeff Lindsay (Vintage, $7.99, 1400095913)
"You really shouldn't like this book. Sociopath serial killers should not
be celebrated. But what if they only kill bad people? And what if they are witty,
charming, and excessively tidy? Dexter is a refreshing, if controversial, character,
and his first-person narrative is dangerously entertaining." --Tom Holbrook,
RiverRun Bookstore, Portsmouth, NH In stores June 28.
DEAFENING, by Frances Itani
(Grove, $14, 080214165X) "Being deaf is the central theme of this beautifully
written novel set in Canada prior to WWI. But it is also about strong women
finding their ways through illness, war, and the loss of love. Itani has long
been well-known in her native Ottawa. I'm glad we in the U.S. can now discover
her exquisite writing." --Jane Laclergue, Fireside Bookstore, Olympia,
WA
THE DOG FIGHTER, by Marc Bojanowski
(HarperPerennial P.S., $13.95, 0060597585)
"This is a searing brawl of a book about both a young man and a place,
each caught in transition between an ancient, raw, and violent past and a future
no one can predict. As hard as the Baja desert it takes place in, this novel,
set in 1940s Mexico, is gripping, poetic, and very, very macho." --Russ
Harvey, Cody's Books, Berkeley, CA
EMPIRE FALLS, by Richard Russo
(Vintage, $14.95, 0307275132) "Richard Russo's big novel about a small
town is full of his typically well-drawn characters, who seem like people you
already know. Miles Roby, a short-order cook, meets many dilemmas that are both
real and discussable. Told with humor and drama, this is a book that draws a
detailed picture of American life and personal conflict." --Debra Goldenberg,
Oregon State University Bookstore, Corvallis, OR
EVENTIDE, by Kent Haruf
(Vintage, $13.95, 0375725768) "Few books have entertained me, engrossed
me, warmed my heart, and then broken it like Haruf's Plainsong. The same can
be said for this sort-of sequel, Eventide. The book returns to the town
of Holt, Colorado, and its inhabitants as they deal with love, death, and all
of the other traumas of life." --Eric Buscher, Posman Books @ Grand
Central, New York, NY
THE FLOATING BOOK: A Novel
of Venice, by Michelle Lovric (ReganBooks, $14.95, 0060578572) "Take a mental gondola
ride with the lush prose of this tale set in Venice in 1468, as three men who
dare to publish the poems of Catullus are linked together by a mysterious beauty
named Sosia. A dazzling debut." --Tara O'Donnell, Paperbacks Plus, Bronx,
NY
FOUR SOULS, by Louise Erdrich
(HarperPerennial P.S., $13.95, 0060935227) "Erdrich's latest novel tracks
the circular paths that interweave the lives of her characters. Told in several
voices, representing the communal aspect of tribal storytelling and culture,
Four Souls explains how each character learns to balance independence
with community. By far her finest yet." --Benay Blend, Bookworks, Albuquerque,
NM In stores July 5.
THE GHOST WRITER, by John Harwood
(Harvest, $14, 0156032325) "A mystery within a mystery, with a story that
was written years ago by the relative of a young child. After discovering a
hidden manuscript in his mother's room, Gerard Freeman has to find out about
her past. He finds his answers, but your hair will stand on end as he does so!"
--Rita Ryan, Armchair Books, Pendleton, OR
THE HAMILTON CASE, by Michelle
de Kretser (Back Bay, $13.95, 0316010812)
"This fabulous novel tells the story of Sam Obeysekere, a Ceylonese lawyer
steeped in British tradition who becomes tangentially involved in a murder case
and, proud of his insight, points the finger of guilt at a man not previously
suspected. This brief moment in his career has profound effects on his future,
and on that of his family." --Betsy Burton, The King's English, Salt
Lake City, UT
HIDDEN, by Paul Jaskunas
(Free Press, $12, 0743257804) "This excellent first novel explores the
feelings of a young woman whose testimony resulted in the conviction of her
husband for brutally attacking her. Several years after his imprisonment, he
is released when someone else confesses to the attack. Harrowing and heartbreaking,
the story and characters ring true and stay with you after you've stopped reading."
--Susan Whittaker, Viewpoint of Columbus, Columbus, IN
HISSY FIT, by Mary Kay Andrews
(HarperPerennial, $13.95, 0060564652) " You don't know what fun is until
you've spent a few nights with a Mary Kay Andrews' book! Her sense of humor
is fabulous, her characters are a riot, and her stories are always outrageous
... but plausible. My only objection was that I wanted it to be longer because
I didn't want to close the book and leave the characters behind." --Susan
Wasson, Bookworks, Albuquerque, NM
HOLY FOOLS, by Joanne Harris
(HarperPerennial P.S., $13.95, 0060559136) "In this intriguing tale, set
in 17th century France, Harris deftly weaves together a story that includes
a marauding band of gypsies and a group of misfit nuns isolated on a small island.
Using lyrical language and vivid imagery, Harris is one of my absolute favorite
authors." --Carrie Sutherland, J.W. Beecroft Books & Coffee, Superior,
WI
HOUSEKEEPING, by Marilynne
Robinson (Picador, $14, 0312424094) "Housekeeping
by Marilynne Robinson is my favorite modern-day classic! With her new novel,
Gilead, reaping honors, it's been a treat to recommend Housekeeping,
both to new readers and to those who want to reread it." --Margot Liddell,
Shakespeare & Co. Booksellers, New York, NY
HOW TO BREATHE UNDERWATER:
Stories, by Julie Orringer (Vintage, $12.95, 1400034361) "Julie Orringer's luminous
debut collection takes us into the lives of young girls finding their way through
the emotional minefields of childhood and adolescence. In a world of unclear
rules and distracted parents, these nine stories resonate with compassion and
intelligence." --Karl Kilion, Brazos Bookstore, Houston, TX
THE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB,
by Karen Joy Fowler (Plume, $14, 0452286530)
"I had great fun reading this delightful, witty, and delicious Austenian
novel about five women and one man who come together to discuss Jane Austen's
novels. Let the dance begin!" --Lois Powers, The Toadstool Bookshop,
Milford, NH
THE LAMENTS, by George Hagen
(Random House Trade, $14.95, 081297218X) "If you are going to be on a bumpy
ride, you sure as heck want pleasant company, and the Lament family is entertaining
the whole way along. Leaving Africa, doing some dead-end time around Britain,
and taking on America circa 1958, the story of the Laments is touching without
being saccharine, complex but easygoing." --Jean Riescher Westcott,
Olsson's Books & Records, Arlington, VA In stores July 12.
LITTLE EARTHQUAKES, by Jennifer
Weiner (Washington Square, $14, 0743470109)
"A story of a chance meeting of three pregnant women (and one suffering
a too-recent loss) and how they soon became vital to each other's sanity and
marriages. You will quickly be hooked into the vibrancy of Weiner's characters
and her humor-laced story." --Cheryl Townsend, Cat's Impetuous Books,
Stow, OH
THE MASTER, by Colm Toibin
(Scribner, $14, 0743250419) "Irishman Colm Toibin has been in my pantheon
of essential contemporary novelists from his pitch-perfect debut. In a novel
about Henry James, Toibin takes on the master's mantle of exquisite perception,
while framing it in his own hushed and reticent prose. A masterpiece!"
--Terri Merz, Chapters -- A Literary Bookstore, Washington, DC
MISDEMEANOR MAN, by Dylan Schaffer
(Bloomsbury, $14.95, 1582345694) "Gordon Seegerman may be a public defender,
but his real calling is singing Barry Manilow covers with his band. At his next
big gig, Manilow himself may put in an appearance, but, when Gordon's boss assigns
him to a misdemeanor flasher case, things get ugly in a jiffy. Great legal fiction,
and a very strong debut." --Jodi Schneider, Odyssey Bookshop, South
Hadley, MA
THE OUTSIDE WORLD, by Tova
Mirvis (Vintage, $13, 1400075289) "This
is the compelling story of Tzippy and Baruch (formerly Bryan), two young people
who search for the perfect world within themselves and in their religion, while
their hapless parents can only look on as the pair moves from engagement to
marriage. Mirvis gives us a rare glimpse into the Orthodox Jewish world."
--Mary Lee Delafield, Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, TX
THE PEARL DIVER, by Jeff Talarigo
(Anchor, $12.95, 1400034914) "A simple yet complex story detailing the
life of a young Japanese pearl diver banished from her family to an island because
of leprosy. Talarigo has created an incredible sense of place and reflective
characters in the late 1940s. Life is not easy, but like the making of a pearl
itself, this is a story that, with each page, works its way into a work of art
with immense luster." --Amy Gillard, McLean & Eakin Booksellers,
Petoskey, MI
THE PRESERVATIONIST, by David
Maine (Griffin, $12.95, 0312328486) "By
Placing Noe and his family at the center of this provocative retelling of the
tale of the Ark, David Maine explores the practical side of building and stocking
a 'boat' of epic proportions. Noe and clan, each with a distinct voice, tell
of waiting for the flood, trusting in one's faith, and, finally, reconciling
oneself to life's limits." --Sarah Bagby, Watermark Books & Cafe,
Wichita, KS
PRINCE EDWARD, by Dennis McFarland
(Picador, $14, 0312421222) "McFarland's novel is set in Prince Edward County
Virginia, where the public schools are closing in order to defy federally forced
integration. Through the eyes of two young boys -- one black, one white -- we
see and feel the injustices, the ignorance, and the acceptance of the situation.
The characters live on in my mind well after finishing the book -- the explosive
ending is unforgettable." --Roberta Rubin, The Book Stall at Chestnut
Court, Winnetka, IL
THE QUEEN OF THE SOUTH, by
Arturo Perez-Riverte (Plume, $14, 0452286549)
"Arturo Perez-Riverte continues to carve his own singular niche in the
world of crime fiction with The Queen of the South. Combining a taut
storyline with his usual exquisite command of language, he has produced another
sterling novel." --Bill Cusumano, Nicola's Books, Ann Arbor, MI
SECRET FATHER, by James Carroll
(Mariner, $14, 061848535X) "Set in the '60s in the divided city of Berlin,
this is a fast-paced thriller, a historical novel, and a wonderful study of
what it means to be a father. A terrific read on many levels." --Mary
Gleysteen, Eagle Harbor Book Company, Bainbridge Island, WA
SHADOWBROOK: A Novel of
Love, War, and the Birth of America, by Beverly Swerling (S&S, $15, 0743228138) "This great big broth of
a book about the French and Indian War may just be my favorite of the season.
It is everything that the perfect historical novel should be: full of marvelous
characters, wonderful settings, and, best of all, writing to die for."
--Kathy Ashton, The King's English, Salt Lake City, UT
STRANGE BUT TRUE, by John Searles
(HarperPerennial P.S., $13.95, 0060721790) "Everything you believe by the
end of the first chapter of this gripping novel will be wrong. Searles masterfully
reveals a story about family that lures the reader deeper and deeper into mystery.
The past has been cruel to these characters, but the miracle pregnancy of Melissa
Moody is going to be the cruelest twist of fate they've ever encountered."
--Geoffrey Jennings, Rainy Day Books, Fairway, KS
THE SWALLOWS OF KABUL, by Yasmina
Khadra, John Cullen (Trans.) (Anchor, $12, 1400033764) "This novel of life among
the omnipresent Taliban in Afghanistan for two families is a powerful, unflinching
look at Afghanistan before the U.S. invasion. Raw, brutal depictions of the
treatment of women during the Taliban rule give this book a haunting, unforgettable
quality." --Maureen Palacios, Once Upon a Time, Montrose, CA
THIS IS NOT CIVILIZATION, by
Robert Rosenberg (Mariner, $13, 0618562060)
"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, by Mark
Spragg (Vintage, $13.95, 1400076145) "You
can never go home again ... or so they say. But in An Unfinished Life,
home is the only place Jean Gilkyson can go. Running from one abusive man to
another, she finally hits bottom and hauls herself and her 10-year-old daughter
back to Ishawooa, Wyoming. Set in the raw, wind-carved lands of eastern Wyoming,
Spragg deftly brings this story to life." --Maire Estar, Chapter One
Book Store, Hamilton, MT In stores July 26.
AN UNPARDONABLE CRIME, by Andrew
Taylor (Theia, $13.95, 1401329632) "Taylor's
literary historical thriller opens in England in 1819. When schoolmaster Tom
Shields is summoned to identify a horrifically mutilated body, he is swept into
a world of murder, treachery, and mysterious strangers. Taylor's detailed research
results in a well-executed novel filled with intrigue and vivid historical description.
Engaging!" --Peg Patton, Front Street Book Shop, Scituate Harbor, MA
THE WORK OF WOLVES, by Kent
Meyers (Harvest Books, $14, 0156031426)
"This story of horses, love, and life, set in a South Dakota border town,
is one of the most wonderful reads I've had in a long time. It features compelling
and beautiful writing throughout. I found it hard to put down, as I went back
to reread paragraphs just one more time." --Sue Richardson, Maine Coast
Book Shop, Damariscotta, ME Available in mid-July.
THE BIG YEAR: A Tale of
Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession, by Mark Obmascik (Free Press, $13, 0743245466) "If you like your sport
with no on-site officials, a playing field running from the midpoint of the
Rio Grande to the North Pole, and one 465,600-minute time period with no time-outs,
consider world class bird watching, as vividly described by Obmascik. Wonderfully
accessible storytelling." --Joyce Gray, Mitchell Books, Fort Wayne,
IN
CALLGIRL: Confessions of an
Ivy League Lady of Pleasure, by Jeannette Angell (HarperPerennial, $13.95, 0060736054) "Some folks may
pick this one up out of prurient interest, and others may be shocked by what
Angell has to say, but I found it to be well-written and compelling. Throw your
expectations out the window!" --Elizabeth Smith, World Eye Bookshop,
Greenfield, MA
CANDYFREAK: A Journey Through
the Chocolate Underbelly of America, by Steve Almond (Harvest, $13, 0156032937) "Steve Almond writes about
his vice with an unabashed, erotic reverence that will not only get you caught
up in his personal Freak, but will have you craving a Goo-Goo Cluster like nobody's
business. Candyfreak is a thoroughly engaging read, and far more satisfying
than a Snickers." --Mark Finn, BookPeople, Austin, TX
COTTAGE FOR SALE, MUST BE MOVED:
A Woman Moves a House to Make a Home, by Kate Whouley
(Ballantine, $13.95, 034548018X) "This is the only book in the history
of our store's 40 years that has been on every staff member's 'staff picks'
shelf, for a number of different reasons. With its bevy of quirky characters
and highly readable story, we all know that we can safely put Cottage
into anyone's hands and have them adore it: a 15-year-old, a mother, a grandfather,
a student, a friend." --Hilary Emerson Lay, The Spirit Of '76 Bookstore,
Marblehead, MA
DON'T THINK OF AN ELEPHANT!:
Know Your Values and Frame the Debate: The Essential Guide for Progressives,
by George Lakoff (Chelsea Green, $10, 1931498717)
"And so that we can all be a little more articulate, there is George Lakoff's
Don't Think of an Elephant. Lakoff, a cognitive scientist, shows how
you cannot allow others to set the parameters of discussion and lays out guidelines
for knowing your values and framing the debate." --Carolyn Chin, Books
On First, Dixon, IL
DRESS YOUR FAMILY IN CORDUROY
AND DENIM, by David Sedaris (Back Bay, $14.95, 0316010790) "It's not that David
Sedaris knew more oddball characters, had a more unconventional family, or lived
next door to more nefarious people; it's just that he actually writes about
them! He writes about life in manner that speaks to all of our deprecating manners,
embarrassing moments, and stupid choices. Read the book and you'll find it's
uplifting just knowing someone else was beaten up in the third grade, was embarrassed
by his parents, and has a sister with a bird that swears like a sailor. --
Bunny Thompson, Paulina Springs Books, Sisters, OR
FOUNDING MOTHERS: The Women
Who Raised Our Nation, by Cokie Roberts (HarperPerennial P.S., $14.95, 006009026X) "Roberts
takes a much-needed look at the women who fought the American Revolution alongside
the men, often defending their very doorsteps. Drawing on the correspondence
of such greats as Abigail Adams and Martha Washington, Roberts weaves together
a compelling tale of their contributions." --Joe Murphy, Olsson's Books
& Records, Washington, DC
HOW SOCCER EXPLAINS THE WORLD:
An Unlikely Theory of Globalization, by Franklin Foer
(HarperPerennial P.S., $13.95, 0060731427) "As Americans, soccer has always
taken the backseat to other sports, but in the rest of the world soccer is more
akin to religion than sport. And, as Foer points out in this enjoyable and enlightening
read, it also can be used to explain much of the political and social climate
changes around the globe." --Robert Sheard, Bookshop by the Lakes, West
End, NC In stores July 5.
LOVE IN THE DRIEST SEASON:
A Family Memoir, by Neely Tucker (Three Rivers Press, $14, 1400081602) "This is an incredible
and fascinating story of a determined couple's adoption of a Zimbabwean child.
The obstacles are enormous, and it is only through their perseverance and dedication
that the adoption is successful. This is a special read." --Hester Jeswald,
Sarasota News & Books, Sarasota, FL
THE PERFECT MILE: Three
Athletes, One Goal, and Less Than Four Minutes to Achieve It, by Neal Bascomb
(Mariner, $14, 0618562095) "In 1952, three great runners -- an Englishman,
an Australian, and an American -- went to the Helsinki Olympics and failed miserably.
But, rather than give up, each man embraced the challenge of becoming the first
to do the impossible: running one mile in less than four minutes. Bascomb's
mastery of character and story keep you reading as quickly as the footsteps
of a runner." --Paul Haskins, Village Books, Bellingham, WA
SCRIBBLING THE CAT: Travels
With an African Soldier, by Alexandra Fuller (Penguin, $15, 0143035010) "Here is Fuller's recounting
of an unlikely friendship with a white soldier who fought in the Rhodesian wars.
She skillfully captures the spirit of the soldier and conveys the difficulty
and poignancy of confronting her own war wounds." --Alana Willhite,
The Colby Bookstore, Waterville, ME
SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL:
The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda, by Roméo Dallaire
(Carroll & Graf, $16.95, 0786715103) "This is a comprehensive account
of the tragic genocide in Rwanda in 1994, the events leading up to it, and the
aftermath. Lt. Gen Dallaire served on the frontline as the Force Commander of
the United Nations Mission to Rwanda. He lays the primary responsibility of
the genocide at the feet of the perpetrators but also blames the Clinton administration,
the French government, the military genius of then rebel leader Paul Kagame,
and human indifference by First World nations. This book is a nice follow-up
for those who have watched the movie Hotel Rwanda and want to gain a
deeper perspective." --Simba Sana, Karibu Books, Hyattsville, MD
DOCTORED EVIDENCE, by Donna
Leon (Penguin, $7.99, 0143035630) "A
great mystery with all the flavors of Venice. So real, you feel you are there.
The characters are people you could know. I especially love Commissario Guido
Brunetti's relationship with the woman he adore." --Nancy Kelley and
Cris Walrata, Browsing Bison Books, Deer Lodge, MT
THE HUNDREDTH MAN, by Jack
Kerley (Signet, $7.99, 0451215540) "This
is not a book for the squeamish, but it's also one that shouldn't be passed
up if you are a true mystery fan. Carson Ryder is a cop, a good one, who also
has a past he would like to forget. He's part of a new homicide team that investigates
psychological and socio-pathological crimes, and he and his partner find themselves
confronted with a gruesome killer. This story carries itself and takes you along
for the ride." --Lee Kelley, Vroman's Bookstore, Pasadena, CA
KILLER SMILE, by Lisa Scottoline
(HarperTorch, $7.99, 0060514965) "Philly lawyer Scottoline shows her Edgar-winning
stuff in an exuberant yet poignant novel crafted from the actual story of her
paternal grandparents, Italian immigrants who were forced to register as enemy
aliens during the Second World War. The result is a wonderful read that is also
thought-provoking at a time when hypen-Americans are once again under serious
scrutiny." --Barbara Peters, The Poisoned Pen, Scottsdale, AZ
LIVE BAIT, by P.J.Tracy
(Signet, $7.50, 0451214633) "Minneapolis detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino
Rolseth have been bored for months -- when they are faced with two possible
murders on the same day. The mother-daughter writing team that goes by the pseudonym
P.J. Tracy can not only creating suspenseful, engrossing mysteries, but they
also fashion characters who are believable and whom you can't help but care
about." --Maret Orliss, Vroman's Bookstore, Pasadena, CA
TAMPA BURN, by Randy Wayne
White (Berkley, $7.99, 0425202283) "This
book has everything we have ever expected to get from a Doc Ford action thriller.
Randy Wayne White has a following wherever the most exciting thrillers are read
and discussed." --Virginia Hobson Hicks, Books on the Bluff, Townsend,
GA
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