2006 Book Sense Picks Highlights

October 24, 2006

A wealth of great reading recommended by independent booksellers

ABUNDANCE: A Novel of Marie Antoinette, by Sena Jeter Naslund (Morrow, $26.95, 0060825391) "In this remarkable story of the life of Marie Antoinette, readers will come to know and love a character often misunderstood. You won't be able to put down this gripping narrative of Louis XVI's brave, kind, and courageous queen." --Summer Moser, Summer's Stories, Kendallville, IN

THE ACCIDENTAL: A Novel, by Ali Smith (Pantheon, $22.95, 0375422250) "Fans of inventive and offbeat fiction will want to check out this stylishly surrealistic novel depicting how a beautiful drifter permanently alters the lives of four members of the troubled Smart clan. Intelligent and thought-provoking, Smith's story is a study of family, desire, duty, and self-determination in modern Western society." --Tiffany Martin, The Bookworm of Edwards, Edwards, CO Also available as a Highbridge Audio (Unabridged CD, 1598870130)

ARTHUR & GEORGE: A Novel, by Julian Barnes (Vintage, $14.95 paper, 1400097037) "This character-driven masterpiece is based on a true event: In late-Victorian England, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle took it upon himself to investigate the tragic case of George Edalji, who found himself accused of a macabre crime. This novel is in no sense a conventional murder mystery, yet I read it in an absolute fever. I can't say enough about this compelling, powerful, and intricate work." --Joe Murphy, Olsson's Books & Records, Washington, DC

BETWEEN, GEORGIA: A Novel, by Joshilyn Jackson (Warner, $22.99, 0446524425) "Following on the heels of Gods in Alabama, Joshilyn Jackson's new novel will be welcomed by readers and fans. A small (population 90) town with two feuding families is drawn together by the infant Nonny -- born of the Crabtrees, raised by the Freets." --Mary Gay Shipley, That Bookstore in Blytheville, Blytheville, AR

THE EMPEROR'S CHILDREN: A Novel, by Claire Messud (Knopf, $25, 030726419X) "A beautifully laced and layered novel of people finding and losing their way through life, purpose, and love in a New York City that almost seems of any time, yet subtly and powerfully becomes of a very certain, eventful time. The ways of individuals coming of age at 20 or 30, of couples, families, friends -- their couplings, betrayals, accommodations -- are written of with wit, empathy, and great knowing." --Rick Simonson, The Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, WA

THE GHOST AT THE TABLE: A Novel, by Suzanne Berne (Algonquin, $23.95, 1565123344) "Buried family history and years of dysfunction and unhappiness are what await Cynthia when she arrives home for a family Thanksgiving, as she and her sister try to unravel the mysterious circumstances of their mother's death, along with reconciling with their absent father. Don't overlook this novelist -- she's an Orange Prize winner and a fantastic storyteller." --Sherri Gallentine, Vroman's Bookstore, Pasadena, CA

THE GIRLS: A Novel, by Lori Lansens (Little, Brown, $23.95, 0316069035) "I believe that the best writing these days is coming out of Canada, and Lori Lansens is another one of the great ones. The Girls is as interesting a book as I've ever read about love and the many forms it takes. These girls, conjoined twins, are thoroughly lovable and are presented without a sappy note. I feel Rose and Ruby are part of my life." --Paul Ingram, Prairie Lights Books, Iowa City, IA

GOODNIGHT, TEXAS: A Novel, by William J. Cobb (Unbridled, $24.95, 1932961267) "I thoroughly enjoyed Cobb's latest novel. He has captured the desperation of a dying town, expertly and surprisingly, in a unique and amusing way." --Julie Green, Front Street Books, Alpine, TX

INTUITION: A Novel, by Allegra Goodman (Dial, $25, 0385336128) "A nondescript building in the shadow of Harvard holds multiple intrigues -- and, perhaps, a cure for cancer. Allegra Goodman's eager young researchers are sincere, bright, yet subject to carelessness and overreaching. They are credible and engaging, and their situation is as fresh as today's headlines." --Cheryl McKeon, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA

THE MADONNAS OF LENINGRAD: A Novel, by Debra Dean (Morrow, $23.95, 0060825308) "Readers follow Russian emigre Marina Buriakov back and forth from the present-day American Northwest, where she battles the effects of Alzheimer's, to World War II Leningrad, where she is a tour guide at the Hermitage Museum. The Madonnas of Leningrad is a heartbreakingly lovely story of a woman who is able to see and celebrate beauty despite the ravages of war, time, and disease." --Theresa Grossman, Tuesday Books, Williamston, MI

MARY: A Novel, by Janis Cooke Newman (MacAdam/Cage, $26, 193156163X) "Janis Cooke Newman's fictional portrait of Mary Todd Lincoln -- smart, funny, empathetic, and often wounded -- is truly remarkable! The story unfolds from Mary's point of view after she's been committed to Bellevue asylum, and Newman weaves fact and creative hypothesis together brilliantly to create a tragic yet inspiring story of a rare and extraordinary first lady." --Amanda Lydon, Good Yarns Bookshop, Hastings on Hudson, NY

ON AGATE HILL: A Novel, by Lee Smith (Algonquin, $24.95, 1565124529) "Set in post-Civil War North Carolina, this wonderfully written story is an emotional retelling of Molly Petree's life. The reader first learns about Molly through a collection of letters and a diary that are uncovered during a plantation's reconstruction. This is a must-read for all those who enjoy historical fiction." --Karin Beyer, Saturn Booksellers, Gaylord, MI

THE RETURN OF THE PLAYER, by Michael Tolkin (Grove, $24, 0802118011) "Tolkin's film executive from The Player, Griffin Mill, is back in a surgically funny novel that's like attending a literary version of Fight Club, where the savage beating of Hollywood culture by one of its own is the main event. Tolkin is able to masterfully describe and destroy the entertainment industry in the same scene. It violates the first rule of Fight Club, but I'll be talking about The Return of The Player with everyone I know." --Geoffrey B. Jennings, Rainy Day Books, Fairway, KS

SAVING THE WORLD: A Novel, by Julia Alvarez (Algonquin, $24.95, 156512510X) "Saving the World ensnared and captivated my imagination, while nourishing and enlarging my view of our troubled planet. It's one of those rare novels in which history, ideas, and story are brought together to create a thoroughly original, and compulsively readable, book." --Janet Brown, The Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, WA

SUITE FRANCAISE, by Irene Nemirovsky (Knopf, $25, 1400044731) "Imagine being someone fortunate enough to have read War and Peace or All Quiet on the Western Front upon their original publication. You can join those privileged ranks by reading Suite Francaise. This novel of World War II France is a work of searing power and soaring humanity and truly justifies using the term masterpiece." --Bill Cusumano, Nicola's Books, Ann Arbor, MI

THIRTEEN MOONS: A Novel, by Charles Frazier (Random House, $26.95, 0375509321) "Like Cold Mountain, Thirteen Moons is both an epic history and a love story told in beautiful, authentic language. Through the memories of Will Cooper, a white boy adopted by the Cherokee People, Frazier paints a vivid portrait of 19th-century America. Will's voice is elegant, humorous, and profound, and he presents a fresh and rich view of the Cherokee Nation and America during this pivotal period. Another unforgettable masterpiece." --Sarah Goddin, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS: A Novel by Sara Gruen (Algonquin, $23.95, 1565124995) "For her latest novel, Sara Gruen has chosen a wonderfully captivating setting, the gritty and complex life of a 1930s traveling circus. She creates a balance of unforgettable characters and a compelling storyline that engages both imagination and emotion. This is a unique and enjoyable book that will stay with you for a long time." --Hilary Vonckx, Queen Anne Books, Seattle, WA

THE WHOLE WORLD OVER: A Novel, by Julia Glass (Pantheon, $25.95, 0375422749) "If we are lucky, a novel will resonate with our minds and, possibly, even with our souls -- and, if we are really lucky, with the entirety of the human condition. This is such a book, a fiercely character-driven novel with the contrasting settings of New York, Northern California, Maine, and New Mexico, and with quite a few kitchens and even more meals prepared throughout. Julia Glass has created characters you will have no choice but to fall in love with as they gracefully intertwine with tension, strength, and fallibility." --Calvin Crosby, Books Inc., San Francisco, CA

FIRMIN: Adventures of a Metropolitan Lowlife, by Sam Savage (Coffee House, $14.95 paper, 1566891817) "This story of a literate rat born in a bookstore is the kind of novel that pulls readers in with its very premise -- its absurdity and zaniness leaving me to wonder how in the world it could possibly be pulled off in a believable and meaningful way. Yet it happens. I loved the book more and more with each page." --Hans Weyandt, Micawber's Bookstore, Saint Paul, MN

THE MEANING OF NIGHT: A Confession, by Michael Cox (Norton, $26.95, 0393062031) "This dark, clever, and highly literary thriller set in Victorian England features as many plot turns as Dickens at his best. It also features an oddly compelling, delightfully unreliable narrator: Edward Glyver, who, finding evidence that he is the legitimate heir to perhaps the most desirable estate in all of England, sets out to claim his rightful inheritance. The most refreshing literary thriller I've read in years." --Joe Murphy, Olsson's Books & Records, Washington, DC

SACCO AND VANZETTI MUST DIE! by Mark Binelli (Dalkey Archive, $14.95 paper, 1564784452) "This is a genre-bending, pop-culture referencing, intellectually challenging, roller coaster alternate history, with slapstick. The Sacco and Vanzetti of the title are not exactly the Italian anarchists executed after a famously xenophobic trial in the 1920s, but rather an early film comedy team in the style of Abbott and Costello, and the story unfolds in movie scenes, interviews, and historical asides. A first-time novelist to watch!" --Jessica Stockton, McNally Robinson Booksellers, New York, NY

SPECIAL TOPICS IN CALAMITY PHYSICS: A Novel, by Marisha Pessl (Viking, $25.95, 067003777X) "If Dave Eggers and Donna Tartt had a literary love child, she would be Marisha Pessl. In this smart first novel, we meet Blue, the lonely daughter of a brilliant and arrogant peripatetic professor. During her senior year of high school, when one of Blue's teachers is murdered, she is forced to examine secrets in her own past." --Stesha Brandon, University Book Store, Seattle, WA

THE THIRTEENTH TALE: A Novel, by Diane Setterfield (Atria, $26, 0743298020) "Diane Setterfield's first novel tells the story of the meeting of biographer Margaret Lea and an ailing author, Vera Winter, who is, at last, ready to reveal her heretofore elusive past. Both women confront their pasts and begin to realize their lives' unique parallels in this fantastic, amazing, and magical gothic tale." --Elly Smith, Parkplace Books, Kirkland, WA

FUN HOME: A Family Tragicomic, by Alison Bechdel (Houghton, $19.95, 0618477942) "Alison Bechdel, cartoonist/author of the long-running Dykes to Watch Out For shares some of her own story in this graphic novel-style memoir about an icy New England family whose patriarch has a very big secret." --Karen Maeda Allman, The Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, WA

THE GLASS CASTLE: A Memoir, by Jeannette Walls (Scribner, $14 paper, 074324754X) "Jeannette Walls gives us an insight into her life growing up in a family of contemporary nomads, and she proves that, with determination and perseverance, it is possible to reach your goals. A memoir, a social study, and a surprising comment on our society." --Daniel Thomas, Browsing Bison Books, Deer Lodge, MT

I FEEL BAD ABOUT MY NECK: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman, by Nora Ephron (Knopf, $19.95, 0307264556) "This is a laugh-out-loud wonderful book for people of all ages, but especially for women of a certain age. Nora Ephron's reminiscences and current view on life should be read by all. I plan to give it to everyone I know." --Marggie Skinner, Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany, NY

JAMES TIPTREE, JR.: The Double Life of Alice B. Sheldon, by Julie Phillips (St. Martin's, $27.95, 0312203853) "Alice Sheldon trekked across Africa with her parents in the 1920s, became an accomplished painter, joined the Women's Army Auxiliary, worked for the CIA, received a Ph.D. in psychology, and married twice. She also had a career as an influential writer of science fiction as James Tiptree. Her complex gender identity and sexual orientation is utterly fascinating, as is her remarkable life, which is made all the more vivid in this rich biography." --Kris Kleindienst, Left Bank Books, Saint Louis, MO

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE THUNDERBOLT KID: A Memoir, by Bill Bryson (Broadway, $25, 076791936X) "A hilarious and insightful look at growing up in the wonderful world of Des Moines in the naïve decade of the 1950s, when tofu, sushi, yogurt, and arugula were unknown, and Jell-O was considered a gourmet dessert. We are treated to a glimpse of the adult world as seen from the uniquely Brysonesque point of view." --Betty Bennett, Bennett Books, Wyckoff, NJ

MOCKINGBIRD: A Portrait of Harper Lee, by Charles J. Shields (Holt, $25, 080507919X) "Readers have been waiting decades for this respectful, in-depth look at the author of the most widely read American novel of the 20th century. Six hundred interviews, years of research, and Shields' straightforward writing have brought us the biography of the year." --Jake Reiss, The Alabama Booksmith, Birmingham, AL

PERFECT, ONCE REMOVED: When Baseball Was All the World to Me, by Phillip Hoose (Walker, $19.95, 0802715370) "Disguised as a nostalgic, coming-of-age baseball memoir, this is a sly, spare meditation on the perils of childhood, the power of celebrity, the vagaries of human kindness, and how even tenuous family bonds can have a surprisingly steely impact." --Joe Pilla, Paperbacks Plus, Bronx, NY

ROADSHOW: Landscape With Drums: A Concert Tour by Motorcycle, by Neil Peart (Rounder, $27.95, 1579401422) "I enjoyed being in the 'hot seat,' both behind the drums and on Neil's bike for this latest travelogue from the drummer and lyricist of the band Rush. Not just for Rush fans, this book is so much more about the journey between shows, and the world as seen through a veteran traveler's eyes." --Brian Woodbury, The Toadstool Bookshop, Milford, NH

THINGS TO BRING, $#!T TO DO...AND OTHER INVENTORIES OF ANXIETY: My Life in Lists, by Karen Rizzo (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, $18.95, 1584795425) "What a great read! This memoir told in lists is something I can totally relate to. In real life, our days aren't filled with prose -- they are fits and starts shared with reflection and angst. Rizzo portrays this and tells her story beautifully. A perfect gift book!" --Margie Scott Tucker, Books Inc., San Francisco, CA

TRUCK: A Love Story, by Michael Perry (HarperCollins, $24.95, 0060571179) "Perry successfully weaves three main stories -- restoring a 1950s International Harvester truck with his brother, discovering romance after several failed relationships, and learning the unpredictable art of gardening -- into one coherent whole. Humorous without being cynical and heartfelt without being overly sentimental, Perry is my kind of memoir writer." --Kathleen Garfin, Enchanted Forest Books, Forest City, IA

AFTER THIS: A Novel, by Alice McDermott (FSG, $24, 0374168091) "Alice McDermott's story of a Long Island Catholic family in mid-20th-century America, dealing with a world that is changing dramatically, is as wonderful as Charming Billy, one of my all-time favorites. She is a master, whose language and pace take you out of the present and into another time and place with incredible immediacy." --Carole Horne, Harvard Book Store, Cambridge, MA

FORGETFULNESS: A Novel, by Ward Just (Houghton, $25, 0618634630) "Ward Just simply writes so well. In his latest novel, his deftly-drawn characters powerfully illustrate the individual toll of the war on terrorism." --Diana Cohen, Books & Company, Oconomowoc, WI

TALK TALK, by T.C. Boyle (Viking, $25.95, 0670037702) "In Talk Talk Boyle explores identity, and how it can be stolen in the cyber-age, through the story of Dana, a deaf schoolteacher, whose identity is stolen by a career criminal. Boyle's writing is as taut as ever, and his latest explores how the deaf perceive the world, and how all of us are caught up in this increasingly overwhelming, and sometimes confusing, swirl that is the 21st-century world." --Mike Dixon, Bayboro Books, St. Petersburg, FL

TERRORIST: A Novel, by John Updike (Knopf, $24.95, 0307264653) "Terrorist is the best Updike novel I've read in years. In this story of 18-year-old Ahmad Ashmawy Mulloy, the son of an Irish-American mother and an Egyptian father, Updike's capacity to channel so many disparate voices creates a virtuoso performance." --Matt Lage, Iowa Book, LLC, Iowa City, IA

WHEN MADELINE WAS YOUNG: A Novel, by Jane Hamilton (Doubleday, $22.95, 0385516711) "The tragic accident that sends Aaron Maciver's young wife back to the mental age of seven, and this event's consequences on two generations of his family, makes for a perfect plot for Jane Hamilton, who once again presents an otherwise ordinary family with an extraordinary crisis. Hamilton gives us unforgettable images, and even some laughs, as her characters grapple with their circumstances. A book club could not ask for a better title for thoughtful discussion." --Cheryl McKeon, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA

THE WHISTLING SEASON: A Novel, by Ivan Doig (Harcourt, $25, 0151012377) "Doig has given us a wonderful novel of a widowed father and his three sons living on the Montana frontier in 1909 who hire a housekeeper from Minnesota. Memorable characters and a vivid portrayal of how a one-room schoolhouse unifies a rural community are just some of the facets of this flawlessly crafted novel." --Stephen Grutzmacher, Passtimes Books, Sister Bay, WI

AN ALPHABETICAL LIFE: Living It Up in the Business of Books, by Wendy Werris (Carroll & Graf, $15.95 paper, 078671817X) "Highlights of Wendy Werris' bookselling career: running into Hunter S. Thompson in her office, a wild car ride with Fran Liebowitz, dinner with special guest George Harrison, and stalking Kurt Vonnegut in New York City. Read this fast-paced and engaging memoir and get a glimpse of how books have shaped all of our histories." --Jessilyn Krebs, McLean & Eakin Booksellers, Petoskey, MI

THE YELLOW-LIGHTED BOOKSHOP: A Memoir, A History, by Lewis Buzbee (Graywolf, $17, 1555974503) "Settle down in a cozy chair in your favorite independent bookstore to read this love letter to books and bookstores. The essays explore Buzbee's experiences with book lust, as well as bibliophilia through the ages. An extremely welcome addition to every book lover's collection of books about books." --Dana Harper, Brystone Children's Books, Fort Worth, TX

BIG-BOX SWINDLE: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America's Independent Businesses, by Stacy Mitchell (Beacon, $25.95, 0807035009) "This definitive study of the consequences of uncontrolled big box development opens our eyes to the myriad ways big box stores affect our lives: creating low-paying jobs, decimating downtowns, degrading our environment, fueling suburban sprawl, and diminishing community life. Mitchell shows us the true cost of the 'bargains' that many still think they are getting, and she also shares stories of communities that have found ways to counter the big box stores and build healthy, sustainable local economies." --Steve Bercu, BookPeople, Austin, TX

A DEATH IN BELMONT, by Sebastian Junger (Norton, $23.95, 0393059804) "Junger approaches the story of the Boston Strangler from a unique and personal angle -- Albert DeSalvo, the confessed strangler, was doing carpentry work at Junger's childhood home when a woman was strangled in the neighborhood. The ensuing tale of the wrongful conviction of Roy Smith, a black day laborer, is absorbing and thorough. Even if you are not a true crime fan, you will enjoy this book." --Susan Taylor, Wellesley Booksmith, Wellesley, MA

FANTASYLAND: A Season on Baseball's Lunatic Fringe, by Sam Walker (Viking, $25.95, 0670034282) "Sam Walker spends a season in fantasy baseball and takes the reader on a wild ride through this realm of obsession. The visceral reactions he experiences will be familiar to many, but, in the end, the book mirrors the game itself: It is filled with pathos, humor, sorrow, tragedy, and triumph." --Bill Cusumano, Nicola's Books, Ann Arbor, MI

THE GHOST MAP: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic -- And How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World, by Steven Johnson (Riverhead, $26.95, 1594489254) "Johnson's vivid history of Victorian London's cholera epidemic of 1854 describes a rapidly growing city beset with suffering, and it tells the story of the struggle to overcome entrenched 'wisdom' in order to better understand disease and public health. A tribute to pioneering medical and scientific research and a fascinating look at how people and societies often cling to false ideas." --Will Peters, Annie Bloom's Books, Portland, OR

THE GOOD GOOD PIG: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood, by Sy Montgomery (Ballantine, $21.95, 0345481372) "Sy Montgomery's heartfelt story of Christopher Hogwood -- the black-and-white pig she and her husband raised from a runt to a 750-pound adult -- made me feel as if Chris was a friend of mine, too. His loving, joyful legacy will live on in the memories of everyone who reads this book." --Sandy Johnson, The Galaxy Bookshop, Hardwick, VT

GUESTS OF THE AYATOLLAH: The First Battle in America's War With Militant Islam, by Mark Bowden (Atlantic, $24, 0871139251) "A fascinating account of the Iran Hostage Crisis. Initially intended to be a short-lived student sit-in, the seizing of the American Embassy in Tehran quickly spiraled out of control and changed the course of history. The election of Ronald Reagan, the Iran-Iraq War, the rise of Muslim extremism, the war on terror, the war in Iraq, and many other events can be linked to these events in 1979. A must-read for any student of history or politics!" --Marci Blankenbaker, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Lyndhurst, OH

LEAVING MICROSOFT TO CHANGE THE WORLD: An Entrepreneur's Odyssey to Educate the World's Children, by John Wood (Collins, $25.95, 006112107X) "John Wood's life-changing decision to start up a library and school in Nepal has snowballed into a fantasticorganization called Room to Read. The program now supports small villages in building educational centers in Nepal, Cambodia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and probably more as I write. An engrossing and inspiring story you can't put down." --Chris Vietmeier, St. Helens Book Shop, St. Helens, OR

A LITTLE HISTORY OF THE WORLD, by E.H. Gombrich (Yale University Press, $25, 0300108834) "A Little History of the World is the most charming narrative history I have ever come across. This is the perfect book for an entire family to share, or for anyone who wants to understand how we got where we are without slogging through other more weighty tomes." --Lisa Wright, Oblong Books and Music, Millerton, NY

THUNDERSTUCK, by Erik Larson (Crown, $25.95, 1400080665) "Erik Larson juxtaposes the invention of Marconi's wireless with the murderous actions of the legendary Hawley Crippen. From tracking the seemingly benign Dr. Crippen, to descriptions of the development of the wireless, the book hooks and holds the reader. Larson has struck gold again." - Barbara Hoagland, The King's English, Salt Lake City, UT

THE WEATHER MAKERS: How Man Is Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth, by Tim Flannery (Atlantic, $24, 0871139359) "Flannery does a masterful job shaking us loose from our societal stupor regarding climate change. This is a thorough, yet accessible, review of all previous research regarding climate change; a common-person's guide to how our planet's systems operate; and a passionate, fact-based call to action. I can't imagine reading this book and not being disturbed, alarmed, and ready to work for a shift in national priorities." --Chris Morrow, Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Center, VT

THE MUSEUM OF LOST WONDER: A Graphic Guide to Reawakening the Human Imagination, by Jeff Hoke (Weiser, $49.95, 1578633648) "Philosophy, history, psychology, fantasy -- they all meet in this work of art that's part comic book (emphasis on 'comic' -- it's very funny), part historic tome, and all fascinating. The seven three-dimensional paper models invite readers to create and broaden their horizons. I really enjoyed it!" --Colleen White, Harry W. Schwartz Bookshop, Shorewood, WI

AWAKE IN THE DARK: Stories, by Shira Nayman (Scribner, $24, 0743292685) "The even, plainspoken prose of this collection turns evocative and haunting upon reflection. Filled with the children of Holocaust victims and participants, these are tales of almost mystical connection that look back to a time that was, indeed, haunting." --Susan Scott, The Secret Garden, Seattle, WA

BRIEF ENCOUNTERS WITH CHE GUEVARA: Stories, by Ben Fountain (Ecco, $24.95, 0060885580) "Ben Fountain's stories are absolutely jaw-dropping. The cynical assessment of human nature is so beautifully balanced by the elegance of the writing. The conclusions of his well-orchestrated stories resonate like deep satisfying chords." --Audrey Bullar, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, OH

SAFFRON AND BRIMSTONE: Strange Stories, by Elizabeth Hand (M Press, $14.95 paper, 1595820965) "Stories from a master of lapidary style and fey fiction. I'm reminded of John Fowles' touch of the mythical in The Magus, but Hand is no imitator -- she wields her own magic." --Pauline Ziniker, Country Bookshelf, Bozeman, MT

ST. LUCY'S HOME FOR GIRLS RAISED BY WOLVES: Stories, by Karen Russell (Knopf, $22, 0307263983) "In her astonishingly good and delightfully clever debut, Karen Russell unveils the magic realism of youth through her child and teen narrators. In these stories, her young heroes fight their fears and plunge headlong into the chimerical coves and sinkholes of their beautifully crafted worlds. These brilliant stories will transport you." --Michael Keefe, Annie Bloom's Books, Portland, OR

BILLY BOYLE: A World War II Mystery, by James R. Benn (Soho, $23, 1569474338) "It's 1942 and America is just entering the war in Europe. Billy Boyle goes from Boston cop to special investigator for his Uncle Ike, that is, General 'Ike' Eisenhower. Within 48 hours of his arrival in England, Boyle has a death to investigate and his attempts to avoid the horrors of war are lost. This is an engaging WWII novel with murders, thrills, spies, and, every so often, a little humor. A winner." --Mary Jane Weber, The Town Book Store, Westfield, NJ

ERRORS AND OMISSIONS: A Novel, by Paul Goldstein (Doubleday, $24.95, 0385517173) "Facing certain disbarment for being drunk in a judge's chambers, and with his marriage on the rocks, attorney Michael Seeley is a man in crisis when he flies to Los Angeles to complete some seemingly routine legal work for a motion picture studio. Instead, he unearths a hornet's nest of betrayal, corruption, and murder. With cinematic prose, Goldstein has written a tight, entertaining legal thriller worthy of Grisham." --Anne Wagner, Porter Square Books, Cambridge, MA

THE GLASS BOOKS OF THE DREAM EATERS: A Novel, by Gordon Dahlquist (Bantam, $26, 0385340354) "This Victorian thriller -- with almost 800 pages of action, adventure, and erotic evil -- demands ebullient praise. A professional killer, a disillusioned Germanic officer, and a jilted young lady dash around Victorian England risking their lives, their honor, and their virtue to save the world from the alchemical machinations of an evil cabal. Great fun!" --Lisa Wright, Oblong Books & Music, Millerton, NY

THE INTERPRETATION OF MURDER: A Novel, by Jed Rubenfeld (Holt, $26, 0805080988) "I inhaled this juicy murder mystery set in 1909 high society Manhattan. Rubenfeld spins an intricate and intelligent web of elegant young ladies, grand mansions and great construction projects, eager and earnest young men -- and Sigmund Freud. Readers will become entwined." --Rebecca Dayton, The Vermont Book Shop, Middlebury, VT

THE KING OF LIES: A Novel, by John Hart (St. Martin's Minotaur, $22.95, 031234161X) "Jackson Workman Pickens is a down-and-out defense attorney marking time in a profession chosen for him by an overbearing and successful father, who has since disappeared. When 'Work' becomes a suspect in that disappearance, he is hesitant to clear himself since doing so would leave his sister in the law's crosshairs. A riveting and wrenching mystery." --Betsy Burton, The King's English, Salt Lake City, UT

MESSENGER OF TRUTH: A Maisie Dobbs Novel, by Jacqueline Winspear (Holt, $24, 0805078983) "Jacqueline Winspear has another hit on her hands. With each Maisie Dobbs book, I have learned about another phase of war, viewed another side of London, and become an even bigger fan. Messenger of Truth combines some of the worst of London after the war and another look at the human reaction to the Great War." --Barbara Theroux, Fact & Fiction, Missoula, MT

ONE GOOD TURN: A Novel, by Kate Atkinson (Little, Brown, $24.99, 0316154849) "In One Good Turn, the past impinges on the present for Atkinson's complex characters, who insinuate themselves into your mind and heart and won't let go. Like a nesting set of Russian dolls, the plot of this literary thriller reveals its secrets, and deception transforms contemporary Edinburgh into a multiple crime scene. A wonderful read, with a female Robin Hood who has the last word." --Marilyn Strelau, Millrace Books, Farmington, CT

THREE DAYS TO NEVER: A Novel, by Tim Powers (Morrow, $25.95, 0380976536) "Fans of Tim Powers will find some familiar elements here: political intrigue and supernatural shenanigans. But what really make this book stand out are the marvelous characterizations. Your heart races as the web surrounding the father and daughter at the center of the story draws in closer and closer. A taut, lean thriller -- one that kept me riveted from the first page to the last." --Neil Rajala, Schuler Books & Music, Grand Rapids, MI

And Looking Ahead...
The following titles, chosen as Book Sense Picks in hardcover in 2006, will be reissued in paperback early in 2007. Watch for them at your local independent bookstore with Book Sense!

THE BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DEAD: A Novel, by Kevin Brockmeier (Vintage, $13.95 paper, 1400095956, January) "Wildlife specialist Laura Byrd is at the heart of the story, and those whom she remembers while she struggles to stay alive wait for the final forgetting that will release them from their way station between life and oblivion. The Brief History of the Dead is astonishing both in its simplicity and its power. Brilliant!" --Lisa Wright, Oblong Books and Music, Millerton, NY

LABYRINTH: A Novel, by Kate Mosse (Berkley Trade, $15 paper, 0425213978, February) "Medieval intrigue, secret societies, fanatically devoted followers, parallel stories centuries apart, adventure, danger, devotion -- what more could you ask for? Only that the end did not come quite so soon." --Nicola Rooney, Nicola's Books, Ann Arbor, MI

THE PEOPLE'S ACT OF LOVE, by James Meek (Canongate, $14.95 paper, 1841958778, January) "An isolated Siberian hamlet in 1919 is the setting for this amazing novel. Samarin, a mysterious escapee from a Russian prison camp; Anna, a beautiful widow who has inexplicably decamped to this remote and harsh place; Czech soldiers; and a religious cult are the intricately connected cast of characters that make this an unforgettable and spellbinding read." --Cathy Langer, Tattered Cover Bookstore, Denver, CO Also available as a Recorded Books Audio (Unabridged CD, 1419365487)

THE SPACE BETWEEN US: A Novel, by Thrity Umrigar (Harper Perennial, $14.95 paper, 006079156X, February) "Compassionately written, this tale of caste and one's place in society in India is both heartbreaking and inspiring. One event in the lives of two families -- one rich, one poor -- sets in motion devastating results for both. Thrity Umrigar has crafted a true gem." --Sherri Gallentine, Vroman's Bookstore, Pasadena, CA

STRIVERS ROW: A Novel, by Kevin Baker (Harper Perennial, $14.95 paper, 0060955198, February) "This riveting novel evokes the color and atmosphere of 1940s Harlem with a cast of characters that includes a young man later to become Malcolm X. As with the best historical novels, Baker beautifully recreates the era, from the seaminess of its dives to the religious and political turmoil of the wartime period. This book transcends the label 'historical fiction' -- it is, simply, great literature." --Matthew Lage, Iowa Book, Iowa City, IA

THE COLONY: The Harrowing True Story of the Exiles of Molokai, by John Tayman (Scribner, $16 paper, 0743233018, January) "I couldn't put down this fascinating, often disturbing history of the Molokai leper colony and those who were forced to live (and die) there. Fear of this misunderstood disease turned people against each other, tore families apart, and wiped out individual rights in the name of public health." --Barb Bassett, The Red Balloon Bookshop, Saint Paul, MN

MANHUNT: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, by James L. Swanson (Harper Perennial, $15.95 paper, 0060518502, February) "This is a riveting account of the plot to assassinate the President, Vice President, and Secretary of State. Swanson's account is as engaging as detective fiction, but it's true and meticulously documented." --J.B. Hall, The Bethel Avenue Book Company, Port Orchard, WA

A STRONG WEST WIND: A Memoir, by Gail Caldwell (Random House Trade Paperbacks, $13.95 paper, 0812972562, January) "Gail Caldwell's book is fabulous -- so beautifully written and touching. I love the way she writes about books she has read, her relationship to her parents and other relatives, and, of course, just living through the turbulent '60s in Texas. A great book group selection -- there's a lot to talk about. -- Julie Jacobson, The Book Stall at Chestnut Court

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