Woodsburner by Pipkin, John Format:  Hardcover (Cloth) Price:  $24.95 Published: Nan A. Talese, 2009 Inventory Status: On Our Shelves Now   See all editions of this title. John Pipkin's WOODSBURNER is an audacious, wondrous surprise-- audacious for putting someone like Henry David Thoreau and a true event from his life (a great fire) in a novel. It is a luminous story, in which Thoreau, a handful of insightfully drawn characters, and an America they all embody are cast in vivid relief. It is also a beautiful story of this country in its formative stages--how community, property, prosperity are being parsed out. Its language is one with the times. It has one of our bookseller ancestors down pat, for sure. Another character embraces the wonders of the woods - and womanhood - in ways even Thoreau never will equal. The fire itself is a real character, illuminating as it destroys. 165 years later, WOODSBURNER feels like a story from yesterday.--Rick Simonson, The Elliott Bay Book Company (Seattle, WA)
	Sag Harbor by Whitehead, Colson Format:  Hardcover (Cloth) Price:  $24.95 Published: Doubleday Books, 2009 Inventory Status: On Our Shelves Now   See all editions of this title. i have just now finished sag harbor. it's a masterpiece. he wrote the hell out of it. i knew he could write, of course i knew he could write, but this is above and beyond. is he the greatest of his generation? possibly. if this book does not make him enduringly and hugely famous, i may want to get out of books altogether.--Sarah McNally, McNally Jackson Books (New York, NY)
	The Selected Works of T. S. Spivet Format:  Hardcover (Cloth) Price:  $27.95 Published: Penguin Press, 2009 Inventory Status: On Our Shelves Now   See all editions of this title. In this book, which is full of observations and maps, we see the world through the eyes of a Cheerio-obsessed twelve-year-old with the wisdom of an old soul. It is funny, tender, heartwarming, heartbreaking, and full of insight. On every page there was something that I wanted to read aloud to anyone who would listen.--Jake Hallman, A Great Good Place for Books (Oakland, CA)
	The Last Child by Hart, John Format:  Hardcover (Cloth) Price:  $24.95 Published: Minotaur Books, 2009 Inventory Status: On Our Shelves Now A thriller about a young boy searching for his missing twin that has you on edge and pulling for the hero from the very beginning. The strong characters and twists in the plot had me white knuckled until I turned the last page.--marc galvin, The Bookstore Plus Music & Art (Lake Placid, NY)
	Valeria's Last Stand by Fitten, Marc Format:  Hardcover (Cloth) Price:  $24.00 Published: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, 2009 Inventory Status: On Our Shelves Now Valeria, a fifty-ish curmudgeon if a woman, finds fault with everyone in her small Hungarian village. One day, though, the town's potter catches her eye, and she discovers herself. When a rogue of a chimney sweep visits the village, everyone's lives are in turmoil. Interesting characters, intrigue, love and lust, political corruption, and more make this a delightful and satisfying read.--Gayle Wingerter, Inklings Bookshop (Yakima, WA)
	Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption by Thompson-Cannino, Jennifer, Cotton, Ronald, Torneo, Erin Format:  Hardcover (Cloth) Price:  $25.95 Published: St. Martin's Press, 2009 Inventory Status: Usually Ships in 1-5 days   See all editions of this title. A black man is accused of a terrible crime by a white woman and spends years in prison before being exonerated by DNA evidence. Then, the previously incarcerated man and the victim become friends, team up, and set out on a mission to rescue others falsely accused. No novel tells a story this important or heartrending. Read it!--Deal Safrit , Literary Book Post (Salisbury, NC)
	Tunneling to the Center of the Earth: Stories (P.S. (Paperback)) by Wilson, Kevin Format:  Trade Paperback Price:  $13.99 Published: Harper Perennial, 2009 Inventory Status: On Our Shelves Now In this fantastic debut collection of stories, Kevin Wilson infuses the everyday, mundane world with a touch of magic, reexamining the familiar through a slightly warped lens. Each of Wilson's characters possesses a touch of melancholy, but each one manages to reconcile this sadness. Definitely a must-have for fans of the short story.--Christopher Chadwick, ASUN Bookstore (Reno, NV)
	The Fourth Watcher: A Novel of Bangkok by Hallinan, Timothy Format:  Hardcover (Cloth) Price:  $24.95 Published: William Morrow & Company, 2008 Inventory Status: Usually Ships in 1-5 days   See all editions of this title. Bangkok-based writer Poke Rafferty in a good place, with a new family and deliriously happy. Of course, that's when he gets caught up in a jumble of counterfeiting charges and assassination attempts, spy vs spy intrigue and deadly problems with the North Koreans AND the US Secret Service... not to mention a badly-timed reunion with his errant father, who is bringing the heat with him. How Poke saves everything and everyone makes for a lively, scary and richly-textured thriller.--James Tremlett, Schuler Books & Music, Inc. (Lansing, MI)
	The Mercy Rule by Klass, Perri Format:  Hardcover (Cloth) Price:  $24.00 Published: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH), 2008 Inventory Status: Usually Ships in 1-5 days   See all editions of this title. Lucy Weiss is a pediatrician working in a clinic that serves families who are just barely getting by. Her childhood experience in foster care gives her an empathy with these mothers that often has her bending rules. On the home front, she has a daughter who is testing her parents' limits and a younger son who is obviously bright but whose behavior can be quite odd. This is an arresting novel about marriage, parenting, working and finding balance in it all. It's strong, real, poignant and often funny, too.--Betsey Detwiler, Buttonwood Books & Toys (Cohasset, MA)
	Awesome by Pendarvis, Jack Format:  Hardcover (Cloth) Price:  $18.00 Published: MacAdam/Cage Publishing, 2008 Inventory Status: Usually Ships in 1-5 days Never has a voice been so original as Awesome in Pendarvis' magnificent modern fairy tale. Take one part Palahniuk, one part Hans Christian Andersen, and one part Stephen Hawking, you may come close to getting it right. Laughing so hard never felt so good!--Katie Glasgow, Mitchell Books (Fort Wayne, IN)
	The Lace Reader by Barry, Brunonia Format:  Hardcover (Cloth) Price:  $24.95 Published: William Morrow & Company, 2008 Inventory Status: Usually Ships in 1-5 days   See all editions of this title. What a wonderfully complicated and rich novel! Set in past and present Salem Massachusetts, the story takes off immediately, interspersing splendid detail about the history of lace makers as well as the famous witch trials, with the modern story of a family's intricate history and the manifestations for the present generation. The novel is packed with interesting characters (including modern witches) and many plot lines which come together magnificently at the conclusion. A truly amazing and riveting read.--Karen M. Frank, Northshire Bookstore (Manchester Center, VT)
	Land of a Hundred Wonders by Kagen, Lesley Format:  Trade Paperback Price:  $14.00 Published: New American Library, 2008 Inventory Status: Usually Ships in 1-5 days   See all editions of this title. After surviving the car accident that took both of her parents Gibby is what her grandpa calls NQR (Not Quite Right). This makes things as an investigative reporter very difficult at times. But she is determined to solve the murder mystery of the future governor of Kentucky, Buster Malloy so that her mama can rest in peace and she can become Quite Right again. You get the privilege of discovering the truth right alone with your wonderful heroine Gibby as she struggles to discover the truth and remember the past.--Michelle Burcky, Cover to Cover Bookstore (Arlington, TN)
	Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip--Confessions of a Cynical Waiter by Waiter Format:  Hardcover (Cloth) Price:  $24.95 Published: Ecco, 2008 Inventory Status: Usually Ships in 1-5 days   See all editions of this title. Reading this front-of-house answer to Kitchen Confidential reminded me of all the summers I spent waiting tables and reminded me to tip more generously.--Cheryl Patton, Eclipse Coffee & Books, Inc (Montevallo, AL)
	The Gargoyle by Davidson, Andrew Format:  Hardcover (Cloth) Price:  $25.95 Published: Doubleday Books, 2008 Inventory Status: Usually Ships in 1-5 days   See all editions of this title. Like Diane Gabaldon, Andrew Davidson immerses you in a different reality and takes you on a roller coaster ride. This is an unusual story about the power of love to transcend physical limitations and to transfrom ugliness into beauty. It's all in the eyes of the beholder, as we are often told. This book makes you believe that simple truth.--Miriam Sontz, Powell's Books, Inc (Portland, OR)
	The 19th Wife by Ebershoff, David Format:  Hardcover (Cloth) Price:  $26.00 Published: Random House, 2008 Inventory Status: Usually Ships in 1-5 days   See all editions of this title. Being a fan of David Ebershoff's, The Danish Girl and Pasadena, I was delighted to see he was still writing along with his editorial work at Randome House. The 19th Wife, brilliantly combines two stories, one, historical fiction about Ann Eliza Young, who defies her church and husband, Brigham Young; the other a modern day murder mystery set in Utah. Ebershoff adroitly gives the reader a behind the scenes glimpse and understanding of a world of faith and love most of us can not comprehend. Initially, you are drawn to the feisty Ann Eliza Young's story to find one true love, but due to circumstances is forced to make compromises, but then you are pulled into the gripping story of Jordan Scott, an outcast, can't have too many boys around in competition with the older men, and the son of the woman accused of murdering her polygamist husband. As always with Ebershoff, he stunningly writes with great depth and feeling for his characters, which leaves readers thinking about Jordan and Ann Eliza days after finishing the book.--Jane Dawson, Porter Square Books (Cambridge, MA)
	Good People by Sakey, Marcus Format:  Hardcover (Cloth) Price:  $24.95 Published: Dutton Books, 2008 Inventory Status: Usually Ships in 1-5 days   See all editions of this title. A primer on what NOT to do when you find your surly tenant has died in his sleep and left $370, 00 in cash stashed in his kitchen. A great read!--Jennie Turner-Collins, Joseph-Beth Booksellers (Cincinnati, OH)
	The Seamstress by De Pontes Peebles, Frances Format:  Hardcover (Cloth) Price:  $25.95 Published: Harper, 2008 Inventory Status: Usually Ships in 1-5 days   See all editions of this title. An epic saga that is not only one of the best books I have read this year, but is one of the best books I have ever read. This talented new writer breaks on the scene with a novel that will keep you reading even as other tasks wait! Emilia and Luzia dos Santos are orphaned sisters who are separated by totally unexpected twists of fate, but they remain connected by heart and mind throughout life. This is a brilliant Brazilian 'western'; a great surprise and now one of my favorites of all time.--Lillian Kinsey, Bohannons' Books With a Past (Georgetown, KY)
	What I Talk about When I Talk about Running by Murakami, Haruki, Gabriel, Philip Format:  Hardcover (Cloth) Price:  $21.00 Published: Knopf Publishing Group, 2008 Inventory Status: Usually Ships in 1-5 days   See all editions of this title. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running should be essential reading for all aspiring novelists. Focus. Endurance. Will. Murakami argues that these traits are at least as important as talent in both running and writing-probably even more important. Whether you're a writer or a runner (or both), or just somebody who wants an entertaining read, you'll find a lot to love in this marvelous little book.--Dave Mallmann, Harry W. Schwartz Bookshop (Brookfield, WI)
	Books: A Memoir by McMurtry, Larry Format:  Hardcover (Cloth) Price:  $24.00 Published: Simon & Schuster, 2008 Inventory Status: Usually Ships in 1-5 days   See all editions of this title. Larry McMurtry's memoir of his life in books--buying selling, bidding, stroking and lusting after--is full of characters and delights that may never been seen by the "average" bookseller, but, what many of us wouldn't give for a chance! The innumerable details of ephemera, books and rarities offer lessons for anyone into the world of antiquitarian, used and truly rarifed items on the printed page. Mr McMurtry is generous with specifics and musings, personal history, whimsy and speculations. Thank you. And thanks to Mr. McMurtry for sharing.--Becky Milner, Vintage Books (Vancouver, WA)
	The Enchantress of Florence by Rushdie, Salman Format:  Hardcover (Cloth) Price:  $26.00 Published: Random House, 2008 Inventory Status: Usually Ships in 1-5 days   See all editions of this title. From the palazzi of Renaissance Italy to the battlefields of Persia and the shores of Far India, in The Enchantress of Florence we are transported effortlessly through life's great conflicts around destiny, beauty, war, magic, and loyalty. Rushdie's novel is a glorious tale of mesmerizing power and indelible images, an aesthetic fulfillment all its own.--Marie du Vaure, Vroman's Bookstore (Pasadena, CA)