STAFF PICKS

Won National Book Award. Crazy beautiful writing, fully realized characters, raw gorgeous dialogue. The insane artistry of a man walking a tightrope between the two infamous towers serves as a backdrop for a series of intertwining stories in New York in the 70's. Figures it was written by an Irishman. Hope in hopelessnesss, beauty in degradation. Just lovely.

Ok, this one came highly recommended by several smart writer friends(and many customers). Read it in one day. Perfect book. WWII story, buddy novel, coming-of-age tale. However you read it, it is funny, heartbreaking,horrifying and just plain superb. I like this book so much I want to sleep with it under my pillow. Don't ask.

Vida Winter is a famous but reclusive British author. The public eagerly reads every novel she publishes but hungers to know the author's mysterious background. Miss Winter has never told the same story about her life twice until she commissions lonely bookseller, Margaret Lea, to write her biography. What unfolds is a chilling, gothic tale with twists and turns on every page. Readers will be reminded of Jane Eyre and Rebecca. This is a very entertaining yet haunting novel. -Amy

Dave Eggers had a difficult time finding the right voice in which to tell the story of Valentino Achak Deng, one of the Lost boys of Sudan. It took him years to determine the most effective way to translate the heartbreaking saga of one boy's experience of war and genocide and survival. Eggers came close to giving up. In the end, he decided to write Deng's story in the form of a novel and let his voice tell his own powerful story. Eggers succeeded brilliantly. The novel begins with Deng's life in America and his struggle to assimilate into a modern society. Told through flashbacks, Deng relates the horrors of being driven from his homeland and forced to walk across three continents, facing lions, militias, starvation and disease. Incredibly moving, terrifying and at times, even humorous, Deng's voice is authentic and true, a testament to the resiliency of the human spirit. The current genocide in Darfur makes this novel even more timely and essential for compassionate understanding . This should be required reading for every American who values their freedom. -Michele

From the first paragraph to the last page, Cassella has poignantly captured the unfolding circumstances surrounding the unanticipated death of a patient of anesthesiologist, Dr. Marie Heaton. The pain accompanying the loss and the steady eroding of Dr. Heaton's confidence impacts with profundity both her personal life and that of the hospital anesthesia team. Clearly an "I can't put this down" read! -Kathleen

Author Kathleen McCleary has created a marvelous balance in portraying issues of a Woman's Heart without the weight of maudlinness. Interspersed with humor, this debut novel is a delight! - Kathleen

Hiassen(author of "Hoot" and "Flush") is back with his trademark sense of humor! The premise is an ecological mystery and I believe it is his best yet. Characters include an evil teacher, a crazy classmate(who just might be an arsonist) and two best friends who are committed to saving the Florida Panther. Perfect for middle school boys and girls.

In 1911, a fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory killed 146 people, mostly women. Weber tells the tale of the only remaining survivor, Esther Gottesfeld. In 2001, Esther lives in a nursing home visited often by her granddaughter, Rebecca and Rebecca's fiance, George. Esther's tragic story of losing her twin sister and her fiance in the fire, comes to the attention of a feminist scholar and secrets begin to surface. Rebecca, a geneticist and George, a composer, find their careers linked in a curious outcome fueled by Esther's recollections. This is a very unique and surprising book, I completely enjoyed it. -Amy