We take great joy in picking out what we hope is an appealing selection of books. And we love making recommendations to customers. Unfortunately, we can't read them all!
Here are some of our current staff favorites:
The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Agawa 
Agawa has written a beautiful story of the relationship between a housekeeper, her son, and the brilliant math professor for whom she cares. Because of a head injury, he remembers nothing after 1975 and retains new memories for only 80 minutes. And yet, they communicate through math, baseball, and the daily activities of life. Carol
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
Music is the backdrop of Juliet, Naked by Hornby, author of High Fidelity & About a Boy. Annie's boyfriend is obsessed with a has-been rock star, with whom Annie unexpectedly starts an e-mail relationship.
Carol
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
We could not put this book down, nor its sequel, Catching Fire (it is scheduled to be a trilogy). Katniss is one of two teens from each district in a post-apocolyptic totalitarian United States, who must compete to the death in a reality show meant to control the populace. We know thie is dark, but these are also two of the best books we've read this year.
(young adult titles) Carol, Lisa & Eva
The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver
The long awaited novel by Kingsolver does not disappoint. It also was not what I expected. This is her first book featuring a male protagonist--Harrison, son of a Mexican mother and American government worker father. His coming of age tale moves between the two countires, Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and the House Committee on UnAmerican Activities. This is historical fiction, which speaks to current events. Carol
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
My number one read in 2009 was this Pulitzer Prize winning novel. It takes place in New York among Dominican immigrants, as well as in the Doiminican Republic during the tumultuous and violent years of Trujiilo. While telling a tale of an immigrant family, Diaz also tells the story of a struggling nation, in a voice that's entirely different from that of most novels. If you like to order new exciting dishes in a restaurant, you'll love Diaz's novel. Eva
Waiting for Winter by Sebastian Meschenmoser
Squirrel and his friends want to see the snow. Kids will be charmed by these animals animals who look a little worse for wear (maybe they are ready to hibernate) and their confusion over what exactly snow is. Carol
The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
This is an excellent sequel to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. and it is this girl--Lisbeth Salander--about whom we finally learn a great deal, as unanwered questions are answered, while Mikael and others rush to investigate her role in several murders. And once again, Larsson tackles issues of violence against women. (due in paperback in March) Carol
Percy Jackson and the Olympian Series by Rick Riordan
What a great series in the spirit of Harry Potter. I'm on book 2 of the 5 book set, The Sea of Monsters. ...In the first book, Percy discovers he is the son of Poseidan and that "demigods" are living amongst us. Many adventures result, with friendship and loyalty being tested and triumphing over evil. The Sea of Monsters sees the main characters on adventures with many of the elements of Homer's Odyssey.
(a young adult series) Carol
Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
This is the second novel of the author of The Time-Traveler's Wife. Niffenegger tells us a ghost story this time. It takes place in and near the HighgateCemetery in London, where both the author and one of her fictional protagonists gave tours. Carol & Lisa
Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage
by Elizabeth Gilbert
If you enjoyed Eat, Pray, Love, you will want to read Gilbert's newest release, and see where Elizabeth's and Felipe's journey has taken them. Gilbert also explores marriage throughout the world. Kathy
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by by Christopher McDougal
this was a life changing book for me and other runners I know. I is the kind of book you will run out an buy a few more copies of after you read it, to give to all of your running friends. Eva
Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
The already excellent books about Eragon and his dragon Saphira are only getting better. In Brisingr, Eragon promises his brother Roran to save his wife when she is kidnapped. As it turns out, this could be a promise he may not be able to keep. He is now a major player in the future of the kingdom and caught up in its politics. This is the third book in the exciting Inheritance cycle. (young adult series) Eva
Crow Call by Lois Lowry & illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline 
Celebrated author Lowry gives us a beautifully moving picture book of a young girl who goes hunting with her father, who has just returned from war. Carol & Kathy
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman is a fascinating writer in many genres and for as many age groups. This is his Newberry winning title about a boy who is raised in a graveyard. (young adult title) Carol
he Book Thief by Markus Zusak 
Written in the voice of Death, this book is engrossing, taking place in Germany during WWII. It is the story of Liesel, whose younger brother dies, and her mother then leaves her with a foster family. You have to experience the author's words. My favorite read of the year. (young adult title) Kathy
The Rose Variations by Marisha Chamberlain
Set in St. Paul and the surrounding area, this is the engaging story of Rose, an aspiring composer and professor. Carol
Spooner by Pete Dexter 
Spooner is the name of the main character, a troubled boy, and this semi-autobiographical story is of his life and the life-long effort of his patient stepfather to understand him. An often darkly funny story. Carol |
