The Full September/October Book Sense 76

1. THE LAST GIRLS, by Lee Smith (Algonquin, $24.95, 1565123638; in stores Sept. 17) "Based on a real-life raft journey down the Mississippi that the author took with her buddies, this novel imagines four of those friends 35 years later as they undertake another journey to spread the ashes of a fifth friend. A delicious read, this is Smith at her prime!"—Julie Jacobson, The Bookstall at Chestnut Court, Winnetka, IL Also a Highbridge Audio (1565117018; CD, 1565117026)

2. MIDDLESEX, by Jeffrey Eugenides (Farrar, $27, 0374199698; Sept. 4) "This book is utterly fantastic. It is reminiscent of Virginia Woolf’s Orlando and Gregory Maguire’s Wicked, intelligently peppered with some Catcher in the Rye. Calliope is the new voice of the 21st century, and damn if we don’t need her. If I could only buy one book this year, this would be the one."—Tara Mathison, Canterbury Booksellers, Madison, WI Also on Audio Renaissance (1559277807)

3. RAISING BLAZE : Bringing Up an Extraordinary Son in an Ordinary World, by Debra Ginsberg (HarperCollins, $23.95, 0060004320) "This is a must-read about a gifted child whose mother defies everyone and everything to show her son he is unique, and who proves to herself that she is a good mother. All the doctors and teachers can’t cope with his various disorders, but she gives him the love to grow at his pace."—Jacky Kirkpatrick, Merritt Bookstore, Millbrook, NY

4. THE HEAVEN OF MERCURY, by Brad Watson (Norton, $23.95, 0393047571) "This is one of the finest novels I’ve read in a decade. Weaving the stories of Finus Bates and his sweetheart, Birdie Wells, with those of other remarkable characters, Watson is funny, melancholy, erotic, world-weary, romantic, gritty and, finally, profound. He joins the ranks of our best novelists in one giant step."—Carole Horne, Harvard Book Shop, Cambridge, MA

5. CLOUD OF SPARROWS, by Takashi Matsuoka (Delacorte, $24.95, 0385336403; in stores Oct. 1) "By turns filled with wit and poignant irony, this novel brilliantly portrays the profound conflict of cultures between the rulers and newly arrived outsiders in 1861 Japan. Remember the Shogun frenzy of 30 years ago? Rejoice! A new and thrilling epic is here."—Rosemary Pugliese, Quail Ridge Books and Music, Raleigh, NC Also a Random House Audio CD (0553713906)

6. THE FRUIT OF STONE, by Mark Spragg (Riverhead, $24.95, 1573222232) "After reading Spragg’s exquisite collection of essays about his boyhood in Wyoming, I knew there would be a novel from this hugely talented writer. And here it is, a beautiful work of fiction. It is about regret and redemption in the vast American West, and Spragg’s prose is masterful."—Stan Hynds, Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Center, VT Also a Highbridge Audio (1565117085)

7. THE CRIMSON PETAL AND THE WHITE, by Michel Faber (Harcourt, $26, 015100692X; Sept.) "Faber presents us with a sprawling Victorian novel, told with all the devices and designs to which we’ve become accustomed, yet turning the genre on its ear. Where Dickens turned a blind or euphemistic eye, Faber shares every shocking detail of 1800s London. The trials of the wealthy Rackham family make for an unforgettable story, told with uncanny truth and humanity."—Drew Phillips, Warwick’s, La Jolla, CA

8. BLOOD OF VICTORY, by Alan Furst (Random House, $24.95, 0375505741) "Furst once again follows the dangerous and forlorn lives of Russian, Turkish and French dissidents, intellectuals and freedom fighters during the darkest days of WWII. He is our new Le Carré, in both elegant style and intricate plot. Don’t miss this, his latest and best." —Robert Greene, Bookpeople of Moscow, Moscow, ID

9. THE BOOK OF ILLUSIONS, by Paul Auster (Henry Holt, $24, 0805054081; Sept.) "Auster splices together the stories of a bereaved college professor and an enigmatic silent film comedian who becomes the object of his obsessive study. With customary deftness, Auster blurs the distinctions between life and art, and we are left wondering what is real and what is merely a flickering illusion."—Jennifer Gay, Book People, Austin, TX Also a HarperAudio Unabridged (0060511893)

10. ACROSS THE NIGHTINGALE FLOOR: Book One of the Tales of the Otori, by Lian Hearn (Riverhead, $24.95, 1573222259; Sept.) "Cutting a sword stroke across genres, this will appeal to lovers of historical fiction and fantasy. Set in a fantasy medieval Japan, here are the adventures of an orphaned youth, a larger-than-life hero, villains galore and a resourceful maiden. Spirituality and magic make this tale sparkle."—Becky Milner, Vintage Books, Vancouver, WA Also a HighBridge Audio (1565117107)

BORROWED FINERY: A Memoir, by Paula Fox (Owl, $12, 0805071849; Sept. 2) "One of America’s best fiction writers offers a heartbreaking childhood memoir as the daughter of bohemian parents who dropped her off in New York, California, and Cuba as they travel. A vivid, poetic book."—Sue Griepentrog, Little Read Bookstore, Wauwatosa, WI

FRAUD: Essays, by David Rakoff (Broadway, $12.95, 0767906314) "Whether it’s climbing mountains in New Hampshire or portraying Christmas Freud, Rakoff never misses a one-liner. Dark, satirical, and yet, ultimately vulnerable, Rakoff is easily the match of This American Life’s other comic gem, David Sedaris. Very highly recommended." – Michael Barnard, Rakestraw Bookstore, Danville, CA

I THOUGHT MY FATHER WAS GOD: And Other True Tales from NPR’s National Story Project, edited by Paul Auster (Picador, $15, 0312421001; Sept. 7) "I love this book of ‘short and true stories that sound like fiction.’ Big and small, tragic and comic, all are expressed with simple conviction, honor, and universal appeal, under broad topics such as Animals, Strangers, Love, War, and Dreams. A perfect gift for anyone of any age, or for a whole family to share."—Carla Jimenez, Inkwood Books, Tampa, FL

IF YOU CAN’T BE FREE, BE A MYSTERY: In Search of Billie Holiday, by Farah Jasmine Griffin (One World/ Ballantine, $13, 0345449738) "Griffin deconstructs and re-examines Holiday’s life, emphasizing her unique gifts and resilience, rather than the hardships and addictions that most people immediately associate her with. I gained an even deeper appreciation for an artist I have loved for years."—Mike Mann, Village Books, Roslindale, MA

IN SEARCH OF CAPTAIN ZERO: A Surfer’s Road Trip Beyond the End of the Road, by Allan C. Weisbecker (Tarcher, $14.95, 1585421774; Sept.) "The good, bad, soulful and soulless; Weisbecker has seen it all. Hurricanes, sunken ships, drug-running, and the constant pounding of surf. An honest, page-turning, great read."—Mark Sipowicz, Moon News, Half Moon Bay, CA

LIMBO: A Memoir, by A. Manette Ansay (Perennial, $12.95, 0380732874; Sept. 17) "Ansay writes memoir as wonderfully as she writes fiction. Her rural and strictly religious upbringing collide with her piano talent and the mysterious illness which comes to plague her, but leads her into a successful writing career."—Judith Rodel, Downtown Books, Hudson, WI

LOOKING FOR ALASKA, by Peter Jenkins (Griffin, $14.95, 0312302894; Sept. 14) "Jenkins has done it again. For all of us who walked across America with Peter and haven’t sat down yet, this is a refreshing, exciting look into the last American frontier. Grab your down parka and get on the trail with this wonderful adventure writer."—Gee Gee Rosell, Buxton Village Books, Buxton, NC

MAMMOTH: The Resurrection of an Ice Age Giant, by Richard Stone (Perseus, $15, 0738207756; Sept. 18) "There are mammoths buried almost whole in the frozen wastes of Siberia. Natives had feared that evil would befall those who dared to remove them, but enter these crazy scientists with earth-penetrating radar, and you’ve got great adventure with scientific shenanigans and amazing finds."—Nancy Brown, R. J. Julia’s, Madison, CT

THE MUMMY CONGRESS: Science, Obsession, and the Everlasting Dead, by Heather Pringle (Theia/Hyperion, $13.95, 0786884630) "Join mummy experts from around the world as they scientifically investigate the properties, social values, and moral issues surrounding these remnants of our past."—Jane Dawson, Concord Bookshop, Concord, MA

SAVAGE BEAUTY: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay, by Nancy Milford (Random House, $14.95, 0375760814; Sept. 10) "A perceptive and intimate exploration of bohemian legend Millay, her life, her loves, and her art. I was mesmerized by both the writing and the subject."—Kendra Adkins, Four Seasons Books, Shepherdstown, WV

BLUE LATITUDES: Going Boldly Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before, by Tony Horwitz (Holt, $26, 0805065415; Sept. 24) "What a fantastic book. It is a well-written, fascinating account of Captain Cook and the colonization and devastation of the Pacific. And, of course, mixed in with the grim and tragic is Horwitz’s characteristic wit. I couldn’t put it down."—Julia Green, Front Street Books, Alpine, TX Also a HarperAudio (069452350X)

THE MEASURE OF ALL THINGS: The Seven-Year Odyssey and Hidden Error That Transformed the World, by Ken Alder (Free Press, $27, 074321675X; Sept. 24) "This is clearly better than many of the histories-of-discovery that have come out in the wake of Longitudes. Alder does a fine job of weaving the story of the ‘measure’ with the French Revolution, the benefits and consequences of uniformity, and several quirky and famous characters as well."—Tom Allen, Stacey’s, San Francisco, CA

THE PIRATE HUNTER: The True Story of Captain Kidd, by Richard Zacks (Theia/Hyperion, $25.95, 0786865334) "This reads like a work of fiction, and I felt as if I was in New York, or on the ship with William Kidd in 1695. A well-researched, perception-changing book, especially for fans of such books as The MapThat Changed the World."—Scott Yanke, Scott’s Books, Delano, MN

THE TRIALS OF LENNY BRUCE: The Fall and Rise of an American Icon, by Ronald Collins and David Skover (Sourcebooks, $29.95 w/CD, 1570719861; Sept.) "Lenny Bruce was a comedic genius who understood the power and absurdity of language and the United States Constitution, and these authors understand the power and absurdity of Bruce. They do well in resurrecting him and exploring the limits of free speech in America."—Kevin Elliott, Barbara’s Bookstore, Chicago, IL

THE POCKET MUSE: Ideas and Inspirations for Writing, by Monica Wood (Writer’s Digest Books, $19.99, 1582971420) " Our in-store writers’ group has just gobbled up this book. It’s innovative, attractive and inspiring in an appealing, offbeat way, and a writer at any level will delight in the aphorisms, suggested exercises, and creative presentation of uplifting ideas."—Cynthia Ferrera, Vero Beach Book Center, Vero Beach, FL

WORD FREAK: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble, by Stefan Fatsis (Penguin, $14 paper, 0142002267) "What a wild, strange world Scrabble players live in! But what makes this book amazing is how much it has to say about human nature and the competitive instinct."—Chris Aylott, The Space-Crime Continuum, Northampton, MA

See also the First Novelists section that follows this one.

THE BLUE SHOE, by Anne Lamott (Riverhead, $24.95, 1573222267; Sept. 30) "Apart from her undeniable talent as a storyteller, Lamott captures valuable lessons about ourselves, our dreams, and the past in this novel. Highly recommended for an autumn weekend read. Five stars!"—Emery Pinter, Chapter 11 Bookstore, Gainesville, GA Also a Brilliance Audio (1590863534)

CASA ROSSA, by Francesca Marciano (Pantheon, $25, 0375421238) "I enjoyed every minute of this three-generation family chronicle set against the last 70 years of Italian history. There is a compassionate quality about Marciano's writing that makes even the most flawed human beings sympathetic. I loved it."—Virginia Valentine, The Tattered Cover, Denver, CO

COASTLINERS, by Joanne Harris (Morrow, $24.95, 0060198125; Sept.) "This is about a classic father-daughter struggle, set on an island off the coast of France. Half-truths and partially understood family legends lead to an explosive display of tempers involving the entire island. Scenic, beautiful, and wild; this is Harris’ best yet."—Maryann Eastman, White Birch Books, North Conway, NH Also a HarperAudio (0060517832)

DO NO HARM, by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz (Morrow, $24.95, 0060008865) "Dr. David Spier is the target of contempt when he treats the man guilty of throwing acid in the faces of ER women. The man escapes and starts targeting the doctor’s friends. But why? The dark side of psychological research is exposed in this fast-paced medical mystery and game of pursuit."—Mary Jane Weber, Town Book Store, Westfield, NJ

FAMILY MATTERS, by Rohinton Mistry (Knopf, $26, 0375403736; Sept. 17) "This is one of those rare novels that you live and breathe, absorbing the characters into your life, dreaming about their problems and possibilities. The patriarch of a blended family is getting old and is in need of care from his children; some of them are willing, others are resentful. Set in overcrowded, politically overheated Bombay, this is a poetically rendered gem of family dynamics."—Jude Sales, A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books, San Francisco, CA

THE HALF-MAMMALS OF DIXIE, by George Singleton (Algonquin, $22.95, 1565123549) "These stories are knit together by their grounding in the South, but to call the author’s writing ‘Southern’ would be like calling Chekhov just a Russian. The humor, depth and sadness of these stories will touch everyone, no matter how cynical they are or where their hat is hung."—Todd Simmons, NYU Bookstore, New York, NY

IN THE RIVER SWEET, by Patricia Henley (Pantheon, $24, 0375421270; Sept. 17) "Ruth Anne is a happily married, devout Catholic with a newly out-as-a-lesbian adult daughter. While struggling with both her priest’s refusal to condemn the anti-gay graffiti appearing in town and her own discomfort over her daughter’s disclosure, she receives an email from someone claiming to be her son. Her memories of living in Vietnam during the war are interwoven with her present-day challenges to create a tapestry of past and present, with a thread of spiritual reassessment."—Suzanne Corson, Boadecia’s Books, Kensington/North Berkeley, CA

JULY, JULY, by Tim O’Brien (Houghton Mifflin, $26, 0618039694; Sept.) "As the Darton Hall Class of 1969 alumni gather for their 30th reunion, they are mostly successful, but they can’t get it together on a personal level. They are largely divorced or headed that way, and nostalgic for their college years. O’Brien manages the Shakespearean cast brilliantly, telling classmates’ stories as they settle old scores or just decide to let them go. A great book about what happened to those rebels who became the Establishment."—Lyn Roberts, Square Books, Oxford, MS

LULLABY, by Chuck Palahniuk (Doubleday, $24.95, 0385504470; Sept. 17) "A witty horror story that follows a reporter as he uncovers the truth behind a string of sudden infant death syndrome cases and a lullaby that once spoken or thought will kill anyone in its path. In true Palahniuk style, Lullaby couples the truly odd and bizarre with great metaphors and images. The consequence? An original novel that dissects the desire for power while it speaks to the chaos in which we live. Beware: it is not for the faint at heart."—Alissa Haslam, Broadway Books, Portland, OR

NOWHERE MAN, by Aleksandar Hemon (Nan Talese/ Doubleday, $23.95, 0385499248; Sept.) "The author’s loving embrace of his Everyman character, Josef Pronek, draws its reader deep into this story of contemporary Eastern Europe meeting modern America, which, in wonderfully graceful prose, has the mood and style of the former region, and all of the relevant immediacy of the latter."—Robert Sindelar, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA

QUIETUS, by Vivian Schilling (Hannover House, $24.95, 0963784617) "Beautifully written, this is a tale of suspense and introspection. A woman and her friends miraculously survive a plane crash, and in the aftermath, repressed secrets are unveiled as she is haunted by people and images from her past."—Amy Rosenfield, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cleveland, OH

SEA ROOM, by Norman Gautreau (MacAdam/Cage, $25, 1931561079) "This debut novel centers around a family of Maine lobstermen from 1941-1949, and the intervening events of WW II. The exploration of the local characters is both humorous and exhilarating, as they manage difficult lives filled with adversity."—Lionel Carbonneau, Tatnuck Bookseller, Worcester, MA

THE STAGGERFORD FLOOD, by Jon Hassler (Viking, $24.95, 0670031259; Sept.) "I was delighted to travel once again to the village of Staggerford, Minnesota. It was a pleasure to revisit the town and to find out what has become of some of the beloved characters. Hassler never fails to please his devoted fans."—Marilyn Sieb, Books & Company, Oconomowoc, WI

THE STORY OF LUCY GAULT, by William Trevor (Viking, $24.95, 0670031542; Sept. 30) "This book is so fine that I feel it deserves my highest recommendation. It is a beautifully constructed story of human frailty and foolish choices, and although it is firmly rooted in the 20th century, it has a 19th century feel to it. The action that carries this novel forward evolves without dramatic moment, but, rather, in a slow, steady and inevitable pace toward its redemptive conclusion."—Elizabeth Cauthorn, Viva Bookstore, San Antonio, TX

THE SUNDAY WIFE, by Cassandra King (Hyperion, $23.95, 0786869054; Sept.) "This is Southern literature at its best. As the story unfolds, the reader gets to know the characters so well—the good, the bad, and the ugly—and there are all the perfect ingredients for great fiction: great characters, religion, funeral food, and a good story."—Rona Brinlee, The Book Mark, Atlantic Beach, FL Also a TimeWarner Audio (1401396631)

THE TEA ROSE, by Jennifer Donnelly (Thomas Dunne/St. Martin’s, $24.95, 0312288352; Sept. 4) "What a book! It is a full-bodied brew of Dickensian proportions. A novel full of well-drawn characters, set in late 1800s New York and London. It is full of excitement, a witnessed murder, a disappearance, a lost love, revenge and hatred, and …a happy and satisfying ending."—Elly Smith, Madison Park Books, Seattle, WA

THE TRANSPLANTED MAN, by Sanjay Nigam (Morrow, $24.95, 0688168191) "Nigam’s colorful pantheon of characters includes a mysteriously gifted medical resident; a wise Indian political leader whose transplanted organs are an amalgam of his people; a scheming Bollywood superstar; a bibliomaniac nurse; and a struggling therapist oft mistaken for a mystical guru. A wise, sexy, laugh-out-loud funny, powerful, and truly exceptional novel. I regard this book as a dear friend and one of the best I’ve read."—Anna Dorian, Esmeralda Books & Coffee, Del Mar, CA

VERSAILLES, by Kathryn Davis (Houghton Mifflin, $21, 0618221360) "A unique novel based on the marriage, reign, and deaths of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Anyone who loves historical fiction will delight in reading this witty, irreverent slant on life during the French Revolution."—Linda Wine, Books on Vernon, Glencoe, IL

AND MY SHOES KEEP WALKING BACK TO YOU, by Kathi Kamen Goldmark (Chronicle, $22.95, 0811834956; Oct.) "This debut novel has it all: romance, trials and tribulations, wacky characters…and great music!"—Kay Bohannon, Bohannons’ Books With A Past, Georgetown, KY

HALF IN LOVE, by Maile Meloy (Scribner, $23, 0743216474) "I’m totally in love with this marvelous, musical collection of prize-wining stories. They are peopled by memorable characters named Demeter, Chase, and Red. One of my favorite books so far this year; a gem."—John Netzer, Just Books, Old Greenwich, CT

HIMALAYAN DHABA, by Craig Joseph Danner (Dutton, $23.95, 052594690X) "Following in the footsteps of her dead husband, a physician’s assistant journeys to a remote Indian village, where she reluctantly assumes responsibility for a rudimentary hospital. An uncommonly satisfying first novel sparkling with remarkably accurate descriptions of everything from sky and sounds to the innermost thoughts of a Himalayan villager."—Scott Foley, Grass Roots Books & Music, Corvallis, OR

THE LAST GOOD CHANCE, by Tom Barbash (Picador, $24, 0312287968; Sept.) "Reminiscient of Richard Russo, this novel explores the theme of loyalty in the setting of a town on a downward economic swing. Loyalties between friends, brothers, husband and wife—all are tested in this compelling story. This would be a great book group choice, as there are no easy answers and lots of room for discussion and speculation."—Susan M. Taylor, Wellesley Booksmith, Wellesley, MA

THE PIANO TUNER, by Daniel Mason (Knopf, $24, 0375414657; Sept. 17) "A captivating historical novel about a piano tuner summoned from London to tune and repair a rare grand piano in the jungles of Burma in 1886. A rich and sensuous journey for the piano tuner and the reader, and an exceptional first novel for this author."—Lois Powers, Toadstool Bookshop, Milford, NH Also a Random House Audio (CD, 0739302027)

THE SECOND COMING OF LUCY HATCH, by Marsha Moyer (Morrow, $24.95, 0060081651) "Moyer has created very real characters in real situations, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with Lucy and Ash. Perfect for anyone who has been in love, and for anyone who’s had a sister or best friend who wouldn’t let you get away with anything. It’s a Liz Pick for sure."—Liz Murphy, Learned Owl Book Shop, Hudson, OH

AN UNCLEAN ACT, by Dean Burgess (Permanent Press, $26, 1579620469) "This is historical fiction at its best. Based on real events, with the author’s ancestors as major characters, this book gives a stark look at the life, obstacles, and prejudices of living in the early Puritan townships."—Clyde Holloway, So Many Books, Vancouver, WA

WHEN THE EMPEROR WAS DIVINE, by Julie Otsuka (Knopf, $18, 0375414290; Sept. 3) "This elegant and important novel is an absolute gem. In crystalline prose, Otsuka tells the story of a very American Japanese family in California during WW II. Outrage shimmers just below the surface of this lovely and heartbreaking novel, but it is kept there by the quiet dignity of this family. Every American should read this book, both for its beauty, and as a cautionary tale for our times."—Bobby Tichenor, Annie Bloom’s, Portland, OR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR, by John Colapinto (Perennial, $12.95, 0060932171) "This mystery about a ‘borrowed’ manuscript, a lie and the cover-up, and the price of fame is a roller coaster ride. Just when you think you’ve reached the last curve, there’s another dip that puts a knot in your stomach."—Donna Kane, Powell’s Books, Portland, OR

THE ARCHER’S TALE, by Bernard Cornwell (HarperMass, $7.99, 0060505257; Sept.) "Cornwell makes the 14th century come alive with sight, sound, and smell, as he recreates the pivotal battle of Crecy into bloody reality. This is the first of another series that Cornwell does so well. This is very exciting reading."—Jack Scrivner, McKinzey-White Bookstore, Colorado Springs, CO

AUSTERLITZ, by W.G. Sebald (Modern Library, $13.95, 0375756566; Sept. 3) "Austerlitz, Sebald’s eponymous hero, is an historian for whom time stopped long before his birth. Late in life, he struggles to recover his own personal history and comes face to face with the Holocaust. Sebald’s narration is gripping, even harrowing, yet in the end, surprisingly uplifting."—Ray Keifetz, Diesel: A Bookstore, Oakland, CA

BOOK OF FRED, by Abby Bardi (Washington Square Press, $13, 0743411943; Sept.) "A girl protagonist, religion, Waco, cults, and the mysterious Book of Fred. With the lightest of touches on current events, this is one fun novel."—Karen Wendler, World Eye Bookshop, Greenfield, MA

BREAD ALONE, by Judith Ryan Hendricks (Perennial, $13.95, 0060084405) "During a visit to her best friend in Seattle, a scorned wife rediscovers the therapeutic process of breadmaking, as she recalls her apprenticeship in a French boulangerie. This is a polished first novel filled with tantalizing descriptions of places and foods."—Mary Burns, The BookWorks, Marysville, WA

CARTER BEATS THE DEVIL, by Glen David Gold (Hyperion, $14.95, 0786886323; Sept. 18) "What a terrific book! Full of fascinating detail about the life of a magician in the early 20th century, it’s a rollicking adventure as well as a love story, with a little mystery thrown in."—Karen Spengler, I Love A Mystery, Mission, KS

THE CHEESE MONKEYS, by Chip Kidd (Perennial, $13.95, 0060507403; Sept. 3) "It’s all here: the dysfunctional parents, the instructors who can’t teach, and the one person with the power to lift you to heavenly reaches, or cast you into the pit of despair. I think that it is safe to say that I have never read anything so clever and funny."—Paul Haskins, Village Books, Bellingham, WA

THE DEATH OF SWEET MISTER, by Dan Woodrell (Plume, $13, 0452283302) "This book is a stunner. The story of the blighted lives of people in this Missouri Ozark town remind me of Faulkner, but there is something more real and haunting about Woodrell’s desperate and courageous people. The eloquent, simple prose and dead-on dialogue are perfect for this amazing story."—Pat Kehde, Raven Bookstore, Lawrence, KS

THE DISTANT LAND OF MY FATHER, by Bo Caldwell (Harvest, $14, 0156027135; Sept.) "Anna is a child of privilege and her father a millionaire, but those riches become ephemera as the Japanese threaten to invade Shanghai, and Anna and her mother are forced to flee to California. This is a novel writ large, a saga of love and war, but also a story about the ties that bind generations together."—Kathy Ashton, The King’s English Bookshop, Salt Lake City, UT

EMBERS, by Sandor Marai (Vintage, $12, 0375707425) "This newly translated novel, written in 1942 by a forgotten Hungarian novelist, is a true literary gift. When an aristocrat sees a friend after a 41-year absence, questions of honor, friendship and courage emerge against the luminous backdrop of a castle at the foot of the Carpathians. At once a mystery with tragic consequences and a delicious rumination on love, this is a sensual, seductive read."—Jenn Ramage, Capitola Book Café, Capitola, CA

EX LIBRIS, by Ross King (Penguin, $13, 0142000809) "This is one of the best books I’ve read in the past year. The world of Restoration London unfolds before you in King’s atmospheric tale of lost libraries, rare manuscripts, secret societies, and the hunger for knowledge in the Enlightenment. An enthralling and evocative novel."—Barry Deitz, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC

I CANNOT TELL A LIE, EXACTLY, by Mary Ladd Gavell (Random House, $12.95, 0375758224; Sept. 10) "This book of short stories, published posthumously, is a collection of small gems. One of them graced Updike’s selection of The Best American Short Stories of the Century. Upon finishing this book, I was torn between being grateful that the stories had been discovered and published, and saddened that there will be no more from this talented author."—Susan Mayes, Hawley-Cooke Booksellers, Louisville, KY

LOST, by Gregory Maguire (Regan Books. $14.95, 0060988649; Sept. 17) "This combines the substance of Maguire’s first book and the fun of his second. The ghost story nicely augments the ‘real life’ trials of the protagonist, and I was on the edge of my seat as it all unfolded."—Crissa Cummings, Books Inc., San Francisco, CA

LOVE AMONG THE RUINS, by Robert Clark (Vintage, $13, 1400030307)"This novel is a stunner. It’s the story of two high school students who fall in love in the summer of 1968, their idealism and innocence juxtaposed against the world run amok. There is a sweetness and tenderness in Clark’s language that is extraordinary."—Mary Gleysteen, Eagle Harbor Book Co., Bainbridge Island, WA

MARTIN SLOANE, by Michael Redhill (Back Bay, $13.95, 0316739367) "Jolene and Martin create boxes reminiscent of the art of Joseph Cornell. When Martin vanishes, the love story turns into a mystery, the essential mystery that other people always are, even to those who love them most. A moving first novel."—Laurie Greer, Politics and Prose, Washington, D.C.

MY NAME IS RED, by Orhan Patuk (Vintage, $14.95, 0375706852; Sept.) "A fascinating and challenging murder mystery/love story set in the competitive community of manuscript illustrators in Istanbul. If you’re in the mood for something very different, try this soon-to-be classic."—Leigh Winterbottom, Verbatim Booksellers, Vail, CO

POWDER, by Kevin Sampson (Cannongate, $15, 1841953717; Sept.) "The Grams are tabbed to be the next kings of British pop, but can the band survive the drugs, sex, egos, and industry execs that come with success? If you love rock and roll, you really don’t want to miss out on this thrill ride of a book."—Candler Hunt, Olsson’s, Washington, DC

REMEMBRANCE OF THINGS PAST: Combray, by Marcel Proust; adapted into a graphic novel by Stephane Heuet (NBM, $13.95, 1561632899; hardcover, $19.95, 1561632783) "Heuet has lovingly visualized the lost world of Proust, capturing all the primary episodes with a cinematic flair, and topping off the galloping Classics Illustrated narrative with a taste of Proust’s meditations on time and memory. Admirers of Proust will approve of Heuet’s passionate retelling; newcomers will find this book a guide into a masterpiece."—Nick DiMartino, University Books, Seattle, WA

SALEM FALLS, by Jodi Picoult (Washington Square Press, $14, 0743418719) "What makes Picoult’s stories different is how she always manages to throw in a twist regarding one religion or another; in this case, the Wiccan religion. This is a great page-turner in which the author once again weaves a tale of ordinary people meeting life’s obstacles head-on."—Sarah Parker, Scott’s Bookstore, Mt. Vernon, WA

THE WORLD BELOW, by Sue Miller (Ballantine, $13.95, 0345440765) "Imagine finding out long-held secrets about a close relative whose life seems to parallel your own. This is a look at someone’s life with all its blemishes, yet it still leaves enough to inspire one to continue. I highly recommend this book."—Linda Johnson, Books at Stonehenge, Raleigh, NC

Don’t miss Billy Collins’ collection, listed on the separate Top Ten Paperback list.

CANTICLE OF THE EARTH: The Words of Francis of Assisi, celebrated in the photography of David and Marc Muench (Sorin, $15.95 paper, 1893732452) "This book is a gift to the soul and spirit. I rejoice each time I look at it."—Roxanne Campbell, Sam Weller’s Books, Salt Lake City, UT

SAN FRANCISCO POEMS, by Lawrence Ferlinghetti (City Lights, $9.95 paper, 1931404011) "A wonderful compilation for seasoned fans and novice poetry lovers alike."—Kathryn Deloria Neithercut, Island Bookstore, Mackinaw City, MI

THE SOUL OF RUMI: A New Collection of Ecstatic Poems, translated by Coleman Barks (HarperSanFrancisco, $16.95 paper, 0060604522; Sept.) "Trying to praise this book is like trying to walk the Grand Canyon."—Rick Simonson, Elliott Bay Book Co., Seattle, WA

TAO OF ELVIS, by David Rosen (Harvest, $12 paper, 0156007371) "The first book to examine The King’s own search for meaning and purpose."—Virginia Hobson Hicks, Books on the Bluff, Townsend, GA