June 25, 2001 The July/August 2001 Book Sense 76 1. JULIE AND ROMEO, by Jeanne Ray (Onyx, $6.99 paper, 0451409973) "A love story for all ages about a romance between two rival florists in their 60s. They vow that a generation-long feud between their families will not affect their feelings for each other. This is a laugh-out-loud novel and one of our favorites."-Linda Burg, Little Read Book, Wauwatosa, WI Also a Brilliance Audio (1567403557) 2. TELL NO ONE, by Harlan Coben (Delacorte, $22.95, 0385335555) "When were you last on a rollercoaster ride? Think of the tension as you rise to the top, then the heart-pounding twists and turns, and the relief at the end. Add to that the emotion of a once-in-a-lifetime love, and you might come close to the experience of reading Tell No One."-Dana Gilligan, Bookends, Ridgewood, NJ Also a BDD Audio (0553528653) 3. BEL CANTO, by Ann Patchett (HarperCollins, $25, 0060188731) "I could not put this marvelous book down. Patchett has based her new novel on a true event - the hostage situation in Peru a few years back--but boy, does she put a new twist on the story. I won't reveal what happens; please read this book for yourself!"-Roberta Rubin, The Book Stall at Chestnut Court, Winnetka, IL Also a HarperAudio (0694525332) 4. THE MUSIC OF THE SPHERES, by Elizabeth Redfern (Putnam, $24.95, 0399147632, in stores July 5) "Great reviews will be plentiful and will all say the same thing: "lyrical, atmospheric, a wonderful historic setting...", but at its core, this literary mystery set in 1795 London is simply a great read."-Kathleen Mahinske, Books Connection, Livonia, MI Also an S&S Audio (0743507819) 5. ROAD ANGELS: Searching for Home on America's Coast of Dreams, by Kent Nerburn (HarperSanFrancisco, $24, 0060698683) "Nerburn travels the West Coast from the Canadian border to Big Sur in search of, if not El Dorado, a release from his past. This book evokes memories of Wallace Stegner, Robert Pirsig, and so many others who have gone west and on the road looking for a new beginning."-Leon Zimlich, Chaucer's Books, Santa Barbara, CA 6. LITTLE AMERICA, by Henry Bromell (Knopf, $24, 0375406840) "I loved this book--the writing, the setting, and the themes of CIA secrecy and family loss. In this way, comparisons to LeCarré will be inevitable, but Bromell can and does hold his own in a masterful way."-Louise Jones, Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Center, VT 7. NICKEL AND DIMED: On (Not) Getting By in America, by Barbara Ehrenreich (Metropolitan, $23, 0805063889) "Whatever financial woes the middle class may have, they pale in comparison to the daily breadwinning struggle of America's low wage workers. We expect the dirty work to be done, and Ehrenreich gives us a glimpse into the lives of the people who do it. An important work."-Dan Schreffler, The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany, NY 8. FEARLESS JONES, by Walter Mosley (Little Brown, $24.95, 0316592382) "Noir. The 1950s. L.A. ... And Paris Minton is in so much trouble he has no choice but to bail his friend Fearless Jones out of jail. With a fast pace and many plot twists and turns, Mosley creates some great characters while sharing insights and morals. I highly recommend this book." -Joan Witlock, Stacey's, Cupertino, CA Also a TimeWarner Audio (1586210637) 9. GOOSE MUSIC, by Richard Horan (Steerforth Press, $15 paper, 1586420178) "The parameters: Tom Robbins on the funny edge; Carlos Castaneda on the spiritual edge; O. Henry on the surprise ending. A captivating story that deconstructs the Trickster Myth, told on multiple levels with quite a cast of characters. This is pure pleasure."-Paul Ingram, Prairie Lights, Iowa City, IA 10. ALL WE KNOW OF HEAVEN, by Remy Rougeau (Houghton Mifflin, $23, 0618094997) "This novel is set in the framework of a factual and unpretentious account of monastic life in the late 20th century. It is quite heartfelt and enduring." -Christopher Sullivan, Copperfield's Books, Calistoga, CA Why 76? 1776--Independence--Independents Every two months, hundreds of independent booksellers nationwide passionately nominate their favorite new books from a great array of publishers. From these, 76 eclectic and diverse books of quality are chosen for your consideration and enjoyment. Children's Books Ask about the separate All Children's 76. BOOK! BOOK! BOOK!, by Deborah Bruss; illus. by Tiphanie Beeke (Arthur Levine/Scholastic, $15.95, 0439135257) Ages 4-8. "A bunch of bored farm animals head for the library! What a great combination: a hilarious story, charming illustrations, and perfect for read-aloud sounds."-Beth Puffer, Bank Street Bookstore, New York, NY BREATHING UNDERWATER, by Alex Finn (HarperCollins, $15.95, 0060291982) Teen. "A very moving account of teenage dating violence told from the perspective of Nick, the abuser. An all-too-real account of an issue that many teens are facing today. I read it in one sitting."-Jenne Herbst, Quail Ridge Books & Music, Raleigh, NC SITTING DUCKS, by Michael Bedard (Puffin, $6.99 paper, 0698118979) Infant/Preschool. "I love this book! One day at the Colossal Duck Factory, where ducks are fed to hungry alligators, an unhatched egg falls off the assembly line. An alligator worker takes him home, intending to eat him, but, instead, finds a new friend. This story is enchanting and the pictures are hilarious!" -Nikki Mutch, UConn Co-op, Storrs, CT SOME FOLK THINK THE SOUTH POLE'S HOT: The Three Tenors Play the Antarctic, by Elke Heindenreich; illus. by Quint Buchholz (Godine, $17.95, 1567921701) Ages 4-8. "This book makes me smile just to look at the cover. Penguins! Opera! Wonderful illustrations and a charming story idea for all ages." -Becky Milner, Vintage Books, Vancouver, WA SUNFLOWER HOUSES: Inspiration from the Garden, by Sharon Lovejoy (Workman, $13.95 paper, 0761123865) Ages 9-12. "My son was four in 1991 when this book was originally published and changed our lives. Every year since then we have planted my son's name in lettuces and put flowers in rainbows between pots of golden marigolds. I thank Lovejoy every summer day. I also thank Workman for this new edition of a gem."-Ellen Davis, Dragonwings Bookstore, Waupaca, WI Extraordinary Women KISS MY TIARA : How to Rule the World as a Smart Mouth Goddess, by Susan Jane Gilman (Warner, $12.95 paper, 0446675776) "A book that's irresistible to quote from, this is about attitude, specifically the 21st century female one. With chapter headings such as 'We Don't Shape History by Shaping Our Thighs', subtle it ain't. Funny, hip, and irreverent, and it makes a great gift, too."-Linda Bubon, Women & Children First, Chicago, IL TRAVELS WITH MYSELF AND ANOTHER: A Memoir, by Martha Gelhorn (Tarcher, $15.95 paper, 1585420905) "A must read for the woman who loves to travel alone but has to put up with companions. A famous WWII correspondent, Gelhorn's honesty and personality shine!"-Anne Hasiuk, Iowa Book Co., Iowa City, IA BIG NEWS Pass along the joy of browsing at an independent bookstore to your family and friends living anywhere in America. Give them the Book Sense Gift Certificate, redeemable at over 1,100 independent bookstores nationally! Fiction in Paperback GREAT for summer reading and book groups. See also the Top Ten and the Mystery section further on. BEE SEASON, by Myla Goldberg (Anchor, $13 paper, 0385498802) "A terrific book. What an unusual theme: the attraction, danger and folly of transcendence. At the beginning, I would never have guessed that's where it would end up. A powerful ending. And I LOVED the father."-Linda Marotta, Shakespeare & Co., New York, NY (A Book Sense Book of the Year Finalist.) GETTING OVER IT, by Anna Maxted (Regan Books, $14 paper, 006098824X) "This is one of the funniest books I've ever read. Helen is a single woman in her 20s struggling with noncommittal boyfriends, a manipulative mother, irritating roommates, and a mindless job. After her father's death, she stumbles through the changes to her life with an enormous amount of wit and resilience. Loss is a sad, sad thing, but Helen makes 'getting over it' much funnier than she, or we, thought possible." -Polly Reiheld, A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books, San Francisco, CA (Maxted's new book, Running in Heels, is just out in hardcover.) THE GRAVITY OF SUNLIGHT, by Rosa Shand (Soho Press, $13 paper, 1569472408) "Set in Uganda just before Idi Amin came to power, this award-winning novel concerns two Americans in an unraveling marriage. Shand's prose is atmospheric and lush, and she weaves local customs and characters into the story."-Duff Bruce, Open Book, Greenville, SC IN THE FALL, by Jeffrey Lent (Vintage, $14 paper, 037570745X; in stores July 10) "This amazing first novel carries the reader from the Civil War to modern times, from Southern battlefield to Vermont farm, through three generations of an American family. This is one of the best books I've read in years."-Donna Urey, White Birch Books, North Conway, NH Also a HarperAudio (0694522740) LIVING TO TELL, by Antonya Nelson (Scribner, $13 paper, 0743200608) "This is a generous and often very funny novel about a contemporary family coping with loss. Three generations of the Mabie family live together in a big, rambling house in Wichita, but this is not a 'dysfunctional family' book. I came to care deeply for all of them, and by the end of the book I was ready to move into the house with them."-Mary Benham, Book Passage, Corte Madera, CA THE LOST LEGENDS OF NEW JERSEY, by Frederick Reiken (Harvest, $13 paper, 0156010941) "This tale of a young kid whose parents have divorced and who is in love with the daughter of a crime boss was a pleasure, from the pitch-perfect dialogue to the totally endearing characters."-Jeanne Meyer, Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops, Milwaukee, WI MOONLIGHT BOWL MANIFESTO: A Cure for California, by Barbara Jones (Russell Dean & Co., $16.95 paper, 1891954164) "When a renegade bowling team takes the fate of California in its three-fingered grip, laughter ensues. But it will bring a tear as well, as the author takes some serious satirical jabs at the treatment of the elderly, racism, and religious bigotry. Underneath the political irreverence, there's depth to the book that shines through."-Sally McFarlane, Ye Olde Book Shoppe, Atascadero, CA RACHEL'S HOLIDAY, by Marianne Keyes (Avon, $6.99 paper, 0380817683; due July 3) "A poignant but hilarious look at a 20-something New Yorker who finds herself in rehab in Ireland, despite her objections that she's not an addict. A beautifully written story with great insight into the world of addiction & rehabilitation."-Christy Womble, Davis-Kidd Booksellers, Jackson, TN THIS IS NOT A NOVEL, by David Markson (Counterpoint, $15 paper, 1582431337) "Remarkable! This book has taught me (strangely) what it means for a read to be compelling. With patience, you arrive at the end and, heartbroken, want to begin again."-Will Wilkinson, Bristol Books, Wilmington, NC THE UNBURIED, by Charles Palliser (Washington Square, $13.95 paper, 0743410513) "Mysteries within mysteries in the 9th, 11th, 17th and 19th centuries intertwine, leading to the redemption of a historian who tries to untangle murders from King Alfred's time to the murder in the next room. A fascinating historical/psychological page-turner." -Gerry Camp, Bear Mountain Books, Cameron Park, CA (Our Backlist Pick of the Month.) WHITE TEETH, by Zadie Smith (Vintage, $14 paper, 0375703861) "An astonishing debut; a most engaging picture of the immigrant experience in England. Through the story of two families--one a Brit married to a Jamaican, the other Bangledeshi--Smith revels in language and gently pokes fun at both them and garden variety Brits. It is hilariously funny; I mean laugh-out-loud funny."-Carla Cohen, Politics & Prose, Washington, DC Author Spotlight PLAIN TRUTH, by Jodi Picoult (Pocket, $13.95 paper, 0671776134) "This book has so many facets: the experience of an alternate culture (a Pennsylvania Amish community), a mystery/courtroom drama (a young Amish girl is accused of murdering her newborn), and much more. The writing flows, and I couldn't read it fast enough."-Sheila Brockmeier, The 20-Mile Bookstop, Parker, CO SALEM FALLS, by Jodi Picoult (Pocket, $24.95, 0743418700) "This is a great page-turner in which the author once again weaves a tale of ordinary people meeting life's obstacles head-on. 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. Picoult is now firmly on my list of favorite authors."-Sarah Parker, Scott's, Mt. Vernon, WA Author Quote: "Independent booksellers carry on the work of democracy in the best sense of the word." -David McCullough, author of JOHN ADAMS and many other major works of biography and history. New Fiction in Hardcover See also the Top Ten ASTRONAUTS: And Other Stories, by Matthew Iribarne (Simon & Schuster, $24, 0743203801) "A remarkable debut collection that moved me as much as Poachers and Welding with Children. The title story is about two brothers who go on a cross-country trip to visit their childhood house in an effort to rediscover their youth. All the stories show a great range and imagination. This is a beautiful collection that I loved and highly recommend."-Tim Huggins, Newtonville Books, Newton, MA THE COLLECTED STORIES OF RICHARD YATES (Holt, $28, 0805066934) "Nothing this season has pleased me more than the publication of this book. These stories are the collected proof of the greatness of a perfect American author." -Nicholas Sichterman, Blue Hill Books, Blue Hill, ME THE GARDENS OF COVINGTON, by Joan Medlicott (St. Martin's, $23.95, 0312275552) "A thoroughly charming story of women's friendships that casts a gentle light on aging, cultural change and how wit and grace can rule the day."-Gee Gee Rosell, Buxton Village Books, Buxton, NC I WISH I HAD A RED DRESS, by Pearl Cleage (William Morrow, $24, 0380977338, in stores July 3) "This is about love, change, and saving the world, one young woman at a time. It's totally accessible, funny, sweet, and wise to the violence and destruction waiting out there for all the women who want to be free. I loved it."-Linda Bryant, Charis Books and More, Atlanta, GA JOHN HENRY DAYS, by Colson Whitehead (Doubleday, $24.95, 0385498195) "Absolutely first-rate. A complex yet highly entertaining (and occasionally hilarious) yarn from the author of The Intuitionist that explores the effects of technological revolutions on the souls and bodies of two black men. I would compare it very favorably to Don DeLillo's Underworld."-Kevin Ryan, Green Apple Books, San Francisco, CA KISSING IN MANHATTAN, by David Schickler (Dial Press, $21.95, 0385335660) "A year ago, one of the most exciting stories from The New Yorker's summer fiction issue was The Smoker. It is now one in a series of stories in which the characters, all of whom live in a mythic New York City apartment building, show up in one another's stories. This fiction is disturbing, erotic, and suspenseful in some places; in others, delightful, reverent, and sweet. Schickler is a major new talent." -Richard Howorth, Square Books, Oxford, MS THE LAST TIME THEY MET, by Anita Shreve (Little, Brown, $24.95, 0316781142) "Anyone who has loved and lost and dreamed of what could have been will be touched by this bittersweet love story. A great book for discussion groups." -Annette Meurer, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, OH THE MIRACLE LIFE OF EDGAR MINT, by Brady Udall (Norton, $24.95, 0393020363) "If only every novel were this good. The bizarre story of Edgar Mint is told in a wonderfully engaging fashion, and the ending was entirely unanticipated. The best book I've read in years!"-Carrie Huston, Chapter Two Bookstore, Charleston, SC THE MUSE ASYLUM, by David Czuchlewski, (Putnam, $23.95, 0399147454) "In this surprising debut novel, Czuchlewski has created a densely layered mystery that raises intriguing questions concerning the nature of authorship and identity. This is a story of academic ambition gone awry, of genius turning to madness, and of madness ultimately leading us to the truth."-Christine Hayes, Garden District Bookshop, New Orleans, LA NO ONE THINKS OF GREENLAND, by John Griesemer (Picador, $24, 0312274572) "This debut novel places the most eccentric and believable of love stories in the zany no man's land of a top-secret military hospital. It is at once a thriller and a comedy, and I haven't read anything quite like it since the heyday of Ken Kesey and Joseph Heller."-Margot Liddell, Booksmith, Falmouth, MA SPUTNIK SWEETHEART, by Haruki Murakami (Knopf, $23, 0375411690) "In this compact volume, Murakami has once again concocted a literary Mobius strip of life, longing, and shifting realities. This is a perfect introduction for those new to this highly addictive writer."-Gerry Donaghy, Powell's, Portland, OR A THEORY OF RELATIVITY, by Jacquelyn Mitchard (HarperCollins, $26, 0066210232) "With Mitchard's deep sense of understanding of human nature, the reader is able to relate to each and every family member in this wonderful new novel by the author of The Deep End of the Ocean."-Virginia Hobson Hicks, Books on the Bluff, Townsend, GA THE THINGS I KNOW BEST, by Lynne Hinton (HarperSanFrancisco, $20, 0062517279) "Once again, Hinton delves into the heart of small-town southern life with her new book. She introduces the Ivy women, a group blessed (or cursed, depending on how you look at it) with the gift of 'knowing.' Hinton examines the ties that nurture our souls and define who we think we are. This is a book you'll want to give to closest friends and family; it's a keeper."-Kathleen Caldwell, Readers Books, Sonoma, CA (Hinton's previous novel, Friendship Cake, was a #1 Book Sense 76 pick AND Book Sense bestseller last summer, and the paperback is due in August.) A Chorus of Voices Each book in this 76 received nominations as one of the best books published recently, as well as some older favorites. For space reasons, we've chosen just one of the quotes we received to describe the book to you here. Food for Thought BREAD ALONE: A Novel, by Judith Ryan Hendricks (William Morrow, $25, 0060188952, in stores July) "Such a fun read. I immediately ran out and bought a bag of whole wheat flour to do some baking from the great recipes in the book." -Donna Henrich, The Bookseller, Cherokee, IA CLEMENTINE IN THE KITCHEN, by Samuel Chamberlain (Modern Library, $13.95 paper, 0375756647) "This is the true story, with great recipes, of the first French chef to achieve fame in the U.S., arriving here in the '40s with an American family fleeing the war."-Adrian Newell, Warwick's, La Jolla, CA THE FOOD REVOLUTION: How Your Diet Can Help Save Your Life and the World, by John Robbins (Conari Press, $17.95 paper, 1573247022) "Robbins illustrates the sheer lunacy of global corporate control, the treatment of our food, and the livestock that supports it. With research and substantiating facts, he advocates better stewardship of our food chain."-Bob Spear, The Book Barn, Leavenworth, KS KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, by Anthony Bourdain (Ecco Press, $14 paper, 0060934913) "I really, really enjoyed this insider's look at restaurants, a chef's life, and dining out."-Susan Schenone, The Book Bag, Valparaiso, IN History, Current Events and Biography See also the Top Ten AUGUSTA GONE: A True Story, by Martha Tod Dudman (Simon & Schuster, $23, 0743204093) "This is the harrowing story of a mother's enduring love for her out-of-control teenage daughter. Set in a small coastal Maine town, the author tells of her experiences with insight and honesty."-Marcia Rider, Capitola Book Cafe, Capitola, CA BALSAMIC DREAMS: A Short But Self-important History of the Baby Boomer Generation, by Joe Queenan (Holt, $23, 0805067205) "Ok, this book will irritate, irk, and even infuriate some people, but as that great social critic Homer Simpson once said, 'It's funny 'cause it's true.' Queenan's hilarious indictment of Baby Boomers may strike too close to home for some, but anyone who has relatively thick skin and is fed up with generational self-importance will find this book too good to put down." -Candler Hunt, Olsson's Dupont Circle, Washington, DC BLACK MASS: The Irish Mob, the FBI, and the Devil's Deal, by Dick Lehr and Gerard O'Neill (Perennial, $14 paper, 0060959258) "This is a compulsively readable account of the incredible career of the Boston mobster James 'Whitey' Bulger, whose brother Billy was the powerful president of the Massachusetts Senate, and the FBI's role in their power. This true tale has stuff in it that wouldn't even make it into a novel."-Bob Deloria, Kepler's, Palo Alto, CA THE BOTANY OF DESIRE: A Plant's Eye View of the World, by Michael Pollan (Random House, $24.95, 0375501290) "With clarity and wit, Pollan explores our obsessions with four specific plants: tulips, apples, marijuana, and potatoes. Read and be seduced by a book guaranteed to entertain." -Kathy Ashton, The King's English Bookshop, Salt Lake City, UT DRIVING MR. ALBERT: A Trip Across America with Einstein's Brain, by Michael Paterniti (Delta, $10.95 paper, 038533303X) "Part travelogue, part memoir, part history, part biography, and part meditation, this offers the story of one of the most unique road trips in modern literature."-Christopher Hubbuch, Ruminator Books, St. Paul, MN (A Book Sense Book of the Year Finalist.) THE FINAL SEASON : Fathers, Sons, and One Last Season in a Classic American Ballpark, by Tom Stanton (St. Martin's, $23.95, 031227288X) "This is a very personal account of one man's coming to terms with the closing of Tiger Stadium. Replete with personal anecdotes and stories of baseball heroes, it is a heartfelt lament for the end of an era in American sports and the role that baseball played in generations of fathers and sons." -Connie Geverink, Little Professor Book Center, Chesterfield, MI FROM DAWN TO DECADENCE: 500 Years of Western Cultural Life, by Jacques Barzun (Perennial, $20 paper, 0060928832) "This book is without question one of the great intellectual achievements of the year. Historian Barzun's magisterial cultural history is written with extraordinary confidence and penetration. Barzun is a cultural pessimist who sees modern history as a story of cultural retreat."-Andy Ross, Cody's, San Francisco, CA THE INFORMANT, by Kurt Eichenwald (Broadway, $14.95 paper, 0767903277, in stores July 3) "The inside story of how A.D.M. became the most powerful company in America by buying politicians and using its influence to gouge billions from consumers. It reads like a Grisham novel, and it's all the more suspenseful because it actually happened. Truly gripping."-Erik Johnson, Book Soup, West Hollywood, CA AN ITALIAN AFFAIR, by Laura Fraser (Pantheon, $22, 0375420657) "Evocative, tenderly amusing and worthy of a thoughtful read; I, too, fell in love with some of the men here. The description of the author's progress through a tough transition in life rang true to me, as I'm sure it will to anyone who has had a relationship fall on difficult times, but has gone on to a more fulfilled life. A great choice for a book group."-Nicola Rooney, Nicola's Books Little Professor, Ann Arbor, MI OF BEETLES AND ANGELS, by Mawi Asgedom (Megadee Books, $19.95, 0970498268) "This incredible young man's autobiography is powerful. Mawi was born in Ethiopia, fled with his family to a Sudanese refugee camp, and arrived in this country at the age of seven. Overcoming hardship and placing great value on education, Mawi's life has much to teach us. Now a graduate of Harvard, his story is an inspiration."-Jane Stroh, The Bookstore, Glen Ellyn, IL POSITIVELY 4TH STREET: The Lives and Times of Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Mimi Baez Farina, and Richard Farina, by David Hajdu (Farrar, $25, 0374281998) "Hajdu takes the reader through the early days of folk music (Guthrie, Leadbelly, Seeger) right up through the birth of rock. Most interesting is the material on the Farinas (he was a novelist and a friend of Pynchon's), a musical couple about whom little has been written. This is the stuff of modern music myth made fresh for all of us today." -Corey Mesler, Burke's Book Store, Memphis, TN TULIP, by Anna Pavord (Bloomsbury, $14.95 paper, 1582341303) "This is a wonderfully researched book tracing the history of one of the world's most renowned and beautiful flowers."-Kristi Ehrig-Burgess, Macdonald Bookshop, Estes Park, CO UPHILL WALKERS: A Memoir of a Family, by Madeleine Blais (Atlantic Monthly, $24, 0871137925) "I thoroughly enjoyed being introduced to the Blais family. Loved the biting wit, references to those 'feisty '50s' nuns and reminiscing over the incredible social innocence of the times."-Susan H. Waite, Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops, Brookfield, WI (Blais is the author of the much-admired In These Girls, Hope is a Muscle.) UPHILL WITH ARCHIE: A Son's Journey, by William H. Macleish (Simon & Schuster, $25, 0684824957) "Archibald Macleish was one of the predominate poets of the 20s, in the company of T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound. William Macleish does a great job telling an interesting story about these people, combining it with the challenge of growing up in the company of his father, who was at times sharp and controlling, but also very charming."-Roxanne Coady, R.J. Julia's, Madison, CT A VOYAGE FOR MADMEN, by Peter Nichols (HarperCollins, $26, 0060197641) "Our pick of the summer for both of us! The intensity and passion of the round-the-world, single-handed, nonstop race in 1968 by nine very different men in nine very different sailing vessels is captured in this compelling, fascinating, and full-bodied book. With a novelist's ear and a sailor's vision, Nichols gives us the adventure book of the year!"-Paul Haskins & Alaine Borgias, Village Books, Bellingham, WA WALKING THE BIBLE: A Journey by Land Through the Five Books of Moses, by Bruce Feiler (William Morrow, $26, 0380977753) "A wonderful book that takes readers on an unforgettable journey. Walking the Bible brings the Old Testament to life and makes it accessible to all."-Brian Lapidus, Chapter 11 Books, Atlanta, GA Mind, Body, and Spirit THE DAISY SUTRA: Conversations with my Dog, by Helen Weaver (Buddha Rock, $14.95 paper, 0970050283) "What a warm, moving reminder of the importance of pets in our lives! Weaver takes it a giant step forward by introducing the concept and experience of communicating with animals. I laughed and cried and felt wonderful reading this book."-Connie Fisher, McLean & Eakin Booksellers, Petoskey, MI THE GIFT OF A MEMORY: A Keepsake to Commemorate the Loss of a Loved One, by Marianne Richmond (Waldman House, $15.95, 0931674425) "What a perfect gift. I will stock this book forever, as I believe it really fits a need and I can handsell it with genuine enthusiasm."-Mary Dempsey, Clinton Book Shop, Clinton, NJ KALEIDOSCOPE: Artistic Techniques for the Creative Soul, by Elisabeth Keely Wilson (Brookside Press, $18.95 paper, 0970103808) "The artwork is beautiful and there are many passages, both long and short, that I found very powerful and insightful."-Carolyn Johnson, 2nd Edition Books, Oakland, CA PILGRIM HEART: The Inner Journey Home, by Sarah York (Wiley, $18.95, 0787956953) "York not only takes us on her journey, but explains how everyone can make their own pilgrimages, whether they be inner or outer journeys. A lovely, flowing writing style makes this journey all the sweeter."-Gretchen Grove, Changing Hands Bookstore, Tempe, AZ Mystery Writer Spotlight THE SKULL MANTRA, by Eliot Pattison (St. Martin's, $6.99 paper, 0312978340) "This first novel won the Edgar Award for Best Mystery Novel ... but it is so much more than a mystery. There's Chinese bureaucratic politics, the suppression of Tibet, and a terrific main character. This author's work has been a joy to discover."-Patricia Hudson, Walden Pond Books, Oakland, CA WATER TOUCHING STONE, by Eliot Pattison (St. Martin's/Minotaur, $24.95, 0312206127) "Discredited Chinese bureaucrat Shan is back in this intelligent sequel. He's in and out of trouble with Chinese security, nomadic outlaw tribes, and the Tibetan holy men he's pledged to protect at all costs. An excellent mystery/suspense novel that doubles as a crash course in Chinese/Tibetan relations and Eastern philosophies. A book to be savored on many levels."-Barb Bassett, Red Balloon Bookshop, St. Paul, MN Mysteries See also the Top Ten DARK WINTER, by William Dietrich, (Warner, $24.95, 0446526754) "Many scientists dream of a stint at the Amundsen-Scott research base in Antarctica. The dream becomes a nightmare when one by one, the residents turn up dead and there is no means of escape. A gripping page-turner by a Pulitzer winning science reporter."-Greg Millard, Jackson's Books, Salem, OR DOWNWINDERS: An Atomic Tale, by Curtis and Dianne Nelson Oberhansly (Black Ledge Press, $14.95 paper, 0970796595) "This is a thriller based on the fallout from the U.S. government's 1950s atomic tests in Nevada. The testing is the backdrop to a contemporary story of a murdered government official and the race to get his whistle-blowing manuscript into the right hands."-Barbara A. Bogart, Bear River Books, Evanston, WY FORTY WORDS FOR SORROW, by Giles Blunt (Putnam, $24.95, 0399147527) "Everything about this Canadian mystery is outstanding: plot, pacing, complex and interesting characters, even the title. The protagonist is a cop whose beloved wife is mentally ill, and his deep concern for her complicates both his past and the present; the sociopathic killers are frighteningly ordinary and also very evil. This is the best police procedural mystery in ages."-Pat Kehde, The Raven Bookstore, Lawrence, KS SHARK RIVER, by Randy Wayne White (Putnam, $24.95, 0399147292) "White produces one of his finest thrillers yet featuring marine biologist Doc Ford. Violent and fast-paced, just the way I like 'em."-David Thompson, Murder By The Book, Houston, TX UNFINISHED BUSINESS, by Barbara Seranella (Scribner $24, 0743212665) "Here is Seranella in top form. She's grown as a writer and deals with very tough issues--addiction, abuse, rape--compassionately and effectively within the course of her singular, engaging crime novels."-Patrick Millikin, The Poisoned Pen, Phoenix, AZ Poetry MEN IN THE OFF HOURS, by Anne Carson (Vintage, $12, 0375707565) "Carson's work is full of allusions and references to cinema, psychology, the classics, with bits of French and Greek thrown into the mix. The layers accumulate, creating a collection satisfying in its depth."-Karen Stevenson, Harvard Book Store, Cambridge, MA SACRIFICE, by Cecilia Woloch (Cahuenga Press, $12 paper, 0964924048) "This book absolutely floored me. It represents the very essence of the poet's craft, where the author's reflections on family, memory, loss, and longing transcend the boundaries of her own experience and reveal emotional truths common to all our lives. Always moving and often profound, this book earns my highest recommendation."-Tim Morell, Skylight Books, Los Angeles, CA A note from the editors We hope you've enjoyed the variety, scope and diversity of these 76 books. They came out of a regular process whereby hundreds of booksellers working at hundreds of independent bookstores across the land send in their comments about their favorite new and recent books. From over a thousand possibilities every two months, 76 books are chosen based on the passion of the letter, the frequency of nomination and….well, the same serendipity and the desire for discovery you find in each and every independent bookstore. Thank you for your support! If you can't find one of the 76 books of interest to you on our shelves, we will gladly special order it for you. Prices and availability are subject to change. These 76 books have been chosen by the independent booksellers of America and the staff at Book Sense, after which publishers were approached for promotional funds to help with the printing of this flier. Books appear here whether or not the publishers have agreed to participate. Books make great gifts, and now, so do Book Sense Gift Certificates Ask at this store for more information. Thank You!