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 Pearl of China Anchee Min Bloomsbury Publishing PLC $25.00 | Min grew up in China and was told to denounce Pearl Buck as an American cultural imperialist. Buck's book, The Good Earth was banned in China for being too "toxic". It was not until 1996 that Min read The Good Earth and changed her view of Buck. Pearl of China is her heart-felt tribute to Buck. Based on Buck's life, the story is told through the eyes of a young Chinese girl, Willow. Through their friendship the story unfolds--history comes alive! If you haven't read The Good Earth, you'll want to after reading this amazing novel. |
 The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club Gil McNeil Hyperion Books $14.99 | After suffering a loss, Jo and her two sons move from London to a small seaside town to take over her grand- mother's yarn shop. She starts a weekly knitting group you wish you could join. It's a lovely read about the power of friendship and new beginnings with just the right amount of romance. |
March Geraldine Brooks Penguin Books $15.00 | This Pulitzer Prize winner is a "tell all". We have learned a lot about Marmie and the "Little Women", but know little about Dr. March's past and adventures during the war. This novel will enlighten you. You'll be surprised! |
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The Art of Racing in the Rain Garth Stein Haper $14.99 | Enzo is the funny, observant narrator of this book, who just happens to be a dog. He's a philosopher who tells you the story of family with love and devotion. You'll laugh out loud, you'll cry, but you won't be able to put it down. You don't need to be a dog lover or race car enthusiast. It just may be your favorite read of the year. |
The Book Thief Markus Zusak Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers $11.99 | The setting is 1939 Nazi Germany. The narrator is the voice of Death. It sounds lika depressing read. Surprise! It's not. The story, itself, paired with the author's figurative language made for an amazing read. I couldn't put it down! |
 Broken for You Stephanie Kallos Grove Press $14.00 | Although the characters are "broken", they are beautiful. Magaret, in her 70's, finds herself alone with only her precious antiques to talk to. After being diagnosed with a brain tumor, she takes in a border, Wanda, who's in her 30's, and their friendship begins. Quirky characters and plot twists make for a wonderfully interesting read. |
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Everything on a Waffle Polly Horvath Square Fish $6.99 | Primrose Squarp (Don't you lover her name?) is a spunky eleven year old who won't accept that her parents were lost at sea. As an orphan (supposedly) she bounces around the community, deals with quirky adults, has a few accidents and adventures. One place she finds comfort is a restaurant called Girl in a Swing where she learns to cook. You'll love Primrose and a recipe after every chapter. |
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Forget Me Not Jennifer Lowe-Anker Mountaineers Books $16.95 | "Adventures, passion, and determina- tion to live our dreams" is the path chosen by Jennifer and her husband Alex Lowe, considered one of the world's greatest modern climbers. "Forget Me Not will stay with you forever. It is a beautifully written story of great love, great daring, great loss and great recovery. Most of all it is a story of great courage." --Tom Brokaw |
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The Girl With No Shadow Joanne Harris Harper Perennial $14.99 | Flamboyant Vianne moves from the quaint French countryside to Paris. She assumes a new identity as the ordinary Yanne and opens a nondescript chocolate shop as she tries to provide a stable and safe life for her two daughters. But, alas....the real Vianne fights her way back to the surface. It's a DELICIOUS read with lots of chocolate, a dash of mystery, and a pinch of magic. Stir it together with colorful characters as it comes to a boil--you can't put it down! |
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The God of Animals Aryn Kyle Scribner Book Company $14.00 | Kyle's stunning first novel is not just another one of those "coming of age" stories. Rather it's a riveting read told through 12 year old Alice's eyes. Her father's struggling horse ranch located in the high desert of Colorado is the backdrop. Read it! The twists and turns, well-developed characters, beautiful language, and vivid imagery will keep you turning the pages. |
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Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Jamie Ford Ballantine Books $15.00 | Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet You can still locate the hotel in down- town Seattle between Chinatown and what used to be Japantown. The story takes place in the 1980's, with flash- backs to the volatile, conflict-ridden 1940's when Japanese residents were removed to internment camps. It's a love story, a war story, and a bit of a mystery. I felt like I was living the experience as I read. Packed with historical inisghts, I couldn't put it down. |
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Marley & Me John Grogan Harper Paperbacks $13.95 | Calling all dog lovers! You will find yourself laughing and sometimes crying outloud. This is the true story of Marley, a yellow lab, who enters the Gorgan home as a puppy and steals their hearts as well as yours. He is sometimes naughty and some- times nice, but always entertaining. Enjoy! |
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May Bird and the Ever After Jodi Lynn Anderson Aladdin Paperbacks $5.99 | May Bird and her helpful cat, Somber Kitty, fall into a lake and when they crawl out they find themselves in a magical world. May Bird must get out before she is discovered. Will she make it? Loaded with lots of adventures and excitement--you'll want book # 2 immediately! |
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Peppermints in the Parlor Barbara Brooks Wallace Aladdin Paperbacks $6.99 | Emily, an orphan, arrives at her aunt and uncles's beautiful San Francisco home, Sugar Hill, to find eveything changed for the worse. The house is dark and spooky. Her aunt no longer owns it and seems frightened. Her uncle is missing. This book is full of suspense, mystery, and adventrue. You won't be able to put is down! |
Run Ann Patchett Haper Perenniel $14.95 | A Boston family deals with a disputed legacy and the aftermath of an accident. The characters in the novel are all running for various reasons, running for office, training for competition, running toward their destiny or away from heartache. It's a fast paced story that sucks you in, and you just can't stop "running" until you cross the finish line. Beautifully written, you just can't put it down. |
Shanghai Girls Lisa See Random House Trade $15.00 | The cover is beautiful but the story is so much more. May and Pearl, sisters living in Shanghai during the 1930's, enjoy an affluent lifestyle. Circumstances change, and they are sold into arranged marriages. Shipped off to California, their romantic adventures and struggles to build a life in Chinatown keep you turning the pages. It's a riveting story of the Chinese- American experience. |
Water for Eelphants Sara Gruen Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill $13.95 | This is a real page-turner. I couldn't put it down! It's historical fiction which also involves mystry and romance all rolled into one. The story takes place during the 1930's Depression era. Gruen diligently reseached circus history. It's an amazing read! |
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