The Book Sense Spring - Summer 2008 Reading Group Picks

1. LOVING FRANK: A Novel, by Nancy Horan (Ballantine, $14, 9780345495006 / 0345495004) "Loving Frank is a book that will stay with you long after the book group moves on. Though a novel, it is a work of historical significance painting a glimpse of life at the turn of the last century. It tells of the familiar conflict in the duty and honor of being a wife and mother while seeking true fulfillment as a woman apart from those titles. This story is very much about culture, influence, vocation, and what we could possibly gain or give up in our quest for such things." --Bridget Rothenberger, Nomad Bookhouse, Jackson, MI

2. THE GATHERING, by Anne Enright (Grove Press, Black Cat, $14, 9780802170392 / 0802170390) "It may have been the Booker Prize that brought this book to the forefront of the collective consciousness, but Enright's dark, rich novel of an Irish-Catholic family facing tragedy is echoing and dark, but full of emotion in the spaces between. One of the most powerful books I've read this year." --Russ Marshalek, Wordsmiths Books, Decatur, GA

3. THE TENDERNESS OF WOLVES: A Novel, by Stef Penney (Simon & Schuster, $15, 9781416571308 / 1416571302) "This beautiful first novel is set in 1867, in a small settlement in the Northern Territory. Penny skillfully blends in mystery, history, and adventure in the story of local outsider Mrs. Ross, who realizes her son is a prime suspect for a murder. When several groups of searchers set off across the frozen landscape in search of answers, Penney manages to deftly reveal the stories behind each of the characters. This is a great book group selection." --Leslie Reiner, Inkwood Books, Tampa, FL

4. LUNCHEON OF THE BOATING PARTY, by Susan Vreeland (Penguin, $15, 9780143113522 / 0143113526) "Renoir comes alive on the page! His intense joy in color and light will bring you to look at the world with new eyes. His sensuous pleasure in painting, as if he is touching the subject, adds to the experience. I found this book about the painting of a great picture and the people who posed fascinating." --Deon Stonehouse, Sunriver Books, Sunriver, OR

5. ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, MIRACLE: A Year of Food Life, by Barbara Kingsolver, with Steven L. Hopp and Camille Kingsolver (Harper Perennial, $14.95, 9780060852566 / 0060852569) "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle inspires! Humorous and eminently sensible reading, whether or not you follow author Barbara Kingsolver's family's example of consuming only locally grown food for one year. Long live the 'locovore'!" --Joan Belongia and Diane Burns, Brown Street Books, Rhinelander, WI

6. KABUL BEAUTY SCHOOL: An American Woman GoesBehind The Veil, by Deborah Rodriguez and Kristin Ohlson (Random House Trade Paperbacks, $14.95,9780812976731 / 0812976738) "Deborah Rodriguez takes us on a tour of Afghanistan that is sometimes funny, sometimes sad, and always enlightening. Using her cosmetology skills, she teaches Afghani women a trade that can provide them with some income and independence. Along the way, we share her friendships, cross-cultural miscommunications, and the frustrations of living in a place where personal safety, electricity, and hot water are never guaranteed." --Jenny Stroyeck, The Homer Bookstore, Homer, AK

7. THE UNCOMMON READER: A Novella, by Alan Bennett (FSG, $15 hardcover, 9780374280963 / 0374280967) "This delightful novella imagines what might happen if Queen Elizabeth became addicted to reading. A joy from start to finish!" --Carol Schneck, Schuler Books & Music, Okemos, MI

8. A THREE DOG LIFE, by Abigail Thomas (Harvest, $13, 9780156033237 / 0156033232) "Abigail Thomas' memoir recounts life after her husband sustains a traumatic brain injury. Her story is the pain and joy of the human condition distilled in a small volume. She weaves a new cloth of love from what was and what is. A truly memorable read." --Donna Bucholz, Mostly Books, Gig Harbor, WA

9. OUT STEALING HORSES, by Per Petterson (Picador, $14, 9780312427085 / 0312427085) "This beautifully translated story, set in Norway during World War II, will give readers a fresh perspective on the far-reaching effects of the war in the Scandinavian peninsula. Relationships are not what they seem, and secrets and duty preempt a family's struggle to cope with loss. The book unfolds with the beauty of nature as a backdrop, and it delights like a rich and colorful gallery of photographs." --Tom Heywood, The Babbling Book, Haines, AK

10. THE KNITTING CIRCLE: A Novel, by Ann Hood (Norton, $13.95, 9780393330441 / 0393330443) "A beautiful story about loss and healing, and the ways in which friendship knits us all together. I couldn't put this book down." --Susan Francis, Colby College Bookstore, Waterville, ME

LITTLE HEATHENS: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression, by Mildred Armstrong Kalish (Bantam, $12, 9780553384246 / 0553384244) "Most of us have grown up hearing the stories of struggle during the Depression, and it's fair to ask what's different about this one. Kalish has found just the right balance of wisdom and elegance, not pity, and certainly not sugar-coating. Book clubs will enjoy connecting the stories with their own histories." --Beverly Bauer, Redbery Books, Cable, WI

MCCARTHY'S BAR: A Journey of Discovery in Ireland, by Pete McCarthy (St. Martin's, $14.95, 9780312311339 / 0312311338) "Pete McCarthy's account of travels in his mother's home country of Ireland is simply the funniest book ever!" --Rich Rennicks, Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe, Asheville, NC

TRUCK: A Love Story, by Michael Perry (Harper Perennial, $13.95, 9780060571184 / 0060571187) "Perry's incredibly funny memoir invites you into his bachelor life in rural Wisconsin, where his intentions drift away from fixing up the rust heap gracing his front yard and toward people-watching, cooking, and falling in love. This book is a welcoming chronicle of a midlife growth spurt and a love letter to his neighbors -- and to the idea of neighborliness itself. It will make you laugh loudly, gladly, and often." --Mark David Bradshaw, Watermark Books, Wichita, KS

HALF OF A YELLOW SUN, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Anchor, $14.95, 9781400095209 / 1400095204) "This novel set during the struggle of Biafra to establish its independence opened my world." --Lynne Shotton Reed, Misty Valley Books, Chester, VT

HUNGER: A Novel, by Elise Blackwell (Unbridled, $11.95, 9781932961508 / 193296150X) "Blackwell's novel explores the many faces of hunger during the siege of Leningrad in the winter of 1941. It is not only the overwhelming desire for food that motivates the narrator, but, also, all the various forms of 'hunger' in the characters in this short but outstanding novel." --Fred Powell, Main Street Books, Frostburg, MD

THOSE WHO SAVE US, by Jenna Blum (Harvest, $14, 9780156031660 / 0156031663) "A breathtaking novel that explores the reality of choices during World War II and the repercussions on a woman struggling to find out the truth." --Lynne Shotton Reed, Misty Valley Books, Chester, VT

WHAT IS THE WHAT, by Dave Eggers (Vintage, $15.95, 9780307385901 / 0307385906) "What is the What is an autobiographical novel about Valentino Achak Deng, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. His story is one of immense sadness, desperate loneliness, and staggering violence. It is also a story of great beauty, where people who have endured the severest tragedies form families of lost individuals, and caring strangers open their homes to those who need support." --Nina LaCour, DIESEL, A Bookstore, Oakland, CA

THE FRIDAY NIGHT KNITTING CLUB, by Kate Jacobs (Berkley, $14, 9780425219096 / 0425219097) "Six very diverse women become unlikely friends as their lives begin to unravel faster than the sweater pattern they attempt to knit during their Friday night meetings. Bonds form, secrets are shared, and hearts are exposed as these women get to know each other as well as themselves. Knowledge of knitting is not a requirement for this story of strength and friendship." --Cathy Allard, BayShore Books LLC, Oconto, WI

HERE IF YOU NEED ME: A True Story, by Kate Braestrup (Little, Brown, $25.99 hardcover, 9780316118941/ 031611894X) "Kate Braestrup's story of how she became a chaplain to game wardens in Maine is one amazingly soulful book, at once thought-provoking and reassuring. Braestrup, with her wise, calming, and uplifting presence, is one person you definitely want in your corner." --Mary Yockey, Anderson's Bookshop, Naperville, IL (Paperback available in July.)

POCKETFUL OF NAMES: A Novel, by Joe Coomer (Graywolf, $14, 9781555974619 / 1555974619) "This novel has quirky and endearing characters, a majestic setting, and a well-written story full of unexpected twists that ebb and flow. It is the unpredictability of life that reading groups will find of interest -- as well as this treasure of a book." --Luanne Ripley Kreutzer, St. Helens Book Shop, St. Helens, OR

THE VANISHING ACT OF ESME LENNOX, by Maggie O'Farrell (Harvest, $14, 9780156033671/ 0156033674) "This novel about a young woman who ends up becoming the caretaker of a great-aunt she never knew existed is a compelling story about family, mental illness, aging, forgiveness (or not!), and much more. An original book with many themes for discussion." --Judy Wheeler, Towne Center Books, Pleasanton, CA (Available in June.)

EAT, PRAY, LOVE: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia, by Elizabeth Gilbert (Penguin, $15, 9780143038412 / 0143038419) "Elizabeth Gilbert has written a striking memoir about the struggle to pick up the pieces of her life after a nasty divorce. As she travels to three different countries, we travel with her and find little pieces of ourselves along the way." --Cole Farrell, Danner's Books, Muncie, IN

THE HISTORY OF LOVE: A Novel, by Nicole Krauss (Norton, $13.95, 9780393328622 / 0393328627) "This is the story of a book and how it is connected to the characters in Krauss's novel. A complex plot full of mystery, it all ties together in the end and, yet, leaves the reader with questions. A wonderful choice for book groups, I read it twice and enjoyed it even more the second time." --Lorilee Buzby, Califon Book Shop, Califon, NJ

THE SPACE BETWEEN US: A Novel, by Thrity Umrigar (Harper Perennial, $14.95, 9780060791568 / 006079156X) "Set in India, this novel about two women born in different circumstances brings home the issues of prejudice, social barriers, and the role friendship can play to break those down... or not. A magnificent book that brings the problems of discrimination right into the reader's heart and mind." --Leslie Hakala, Best of Times Bookstore, Red Wing, MN

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, by Sara Gruen (Algonquin, $13.95, 9781565125605 / 1565125606) "Water for Elephants has heart-wrenching subplots and is filled with characters who will live on in readers' memories -- and it brings a 1930s circus to life. Ultimately, it is the story of the power of love, friendship, and kindness. A poignant, engrossing novel with a wonderfully satisfying conclusion." --Judy Mathys, Family Book Shop, Deland, FL

ON CHESIL BEACH: A Novel, by Ian McEwan (Anchor, $13.95, 9780307386175 / 0307386171) "This beautifully written novel, about two newlyweds who have no idea how to communicate their fears and feelings about sex on their wedding night, explores in fine detail the inner workings of two interesting characters and the dangerous twists that can arise from the simplest of causes." --Kate Randall, Antigone Books, Tucson, AZ (Available after June 10.)

MORAL DISORDER AND OTHER STORIES, by Margaret Atwood (Anchor, $13.95, 9780385721646 / 0385721641) "This novel-in-stories uses shifting perspectives to follow one woman's life from the 1930s to the present day, including her roles as dutiful daughter, protective sister, replacement mother, and caretaker to aging parents. It's perfect for a book group because each reader will finish with a different take on who Nell is and what her choices mean." --Mark Bradshaw, Watermark Books, Wichita, KS

THE ROAD, by Cormac McCarthy (Vintage, $14.95, 9780307387899 / 0307387895) "This is a cautionary tale of post-apocalyptic America that follows a man and his young son through our dying landscape and into unimaginable situations. Horrific and heartbreaking, yet ultimately hopeful, it is a book that I could not bear to read but could not put down. With contradictions like this there is much to discuss." --Judy Crosby, Island Books, Middletown, RI

THE BASTARD OF ISTANBUL: A Novel, by Elif Shafak (Penguin, $14, 9780143112716 / 0143112716) "Through the eyes of two young women (one Turkish, one Armenian-American), Shafak explores some of the most vexing questions of our time. Are we responsible for the atrocities committed by our ancestors? What action can the current generation take to heal the wounds of the past? Despite the deep themes, this is an enjoyable book full of energetic, fun characters." --Emily Adams, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA

THE DEAD FATHER'S CLUB, by Matt Haig (Penguin, $14, 9780143112945 / 0143112945) "With a nod to Shakespeare's Hamlet, British author Haig makes his American debut with this charming and captivating novel about an 11-year-old boy who must avenge his father's murder. Phillip's breathless voice remains convincing throughout, and his compassion for others and indecision regarding his upcoming deed are endearing." --Dana Shulz, Snowbound Books, Marquette, MI

THE FLOOR OF THE SKY, by Pamela Carter Joern (Bison, $16.95, 9780803276314 / 0803276311) "Set in the Nebraska Sandhills, Joern tells the story of Toby Jenkins, an aging widow, and the arrival of her 16-year-old granddaughter, Lila, surly and pregnant. As long-buried secrets are revealed, themes of love, guilt, and forgiveness are explored and characters must choose between living in the bitterness of the past or moving on to live more richly and fully in the present. Book groups will enjoy exploring the beautifully drawn characters in this novel." --Sally Wizik Wills, Sister Wolf Books, Minneapolis, MN

THE GOD OF ANIMALS, by Aryn Kyle (Scribner, $14, 9781416533252 / 1416533257) "One of the simple joys of reading fiction is every now and then stumbling across a fresh new voice and a great new novel. This bittersweet tale of Alice Winston's growing up on her family's horse ranch in Colorado will grab you, hold you, and haunt you long after you've turned the last page." --Jim McNamara, Harry W. Schwartz Bookshop, Shorewood, WI

THE MINISTRY OF SPECIAL CASES, by Nathan Englander (Vintage, $14.95, 9780375704444 / 0375704442) "In a country where lies are truths and truths are lies, the terror of reality is greater than any imagined terror could be. Be quiet and you might be safe. Be a young man who reads books, and you could become a 'disappeared.' The Ministry of Special Cases tells the story of the parents of a disappeared son, of how every avenue they follow to find him leads nowhere, of how anyone they turn to cannot or, worse, will not help. It is a desperate story that ends in the only possible way it could. Englander's control here is brilliant." --Patricia Grant, Windows a bookshop, Monroe, LA

THE PIRATE'S DAUGHTER: A Novel, by Margaret Cezair-Thompson (Unbridled, $24.95 hardcover, 9781932961409 / 1932961402) "Jamaica will never feel so close as when you're reading this fictionalized tale of Errol Flynn's accidental arrival onto this island and into the hearts of many of its residents, especially young Ida, who bears his illegitimate daughter, May. They struggle to fit in to one or the other of their societies, not quite fitting the white, expatriate society, nor being accepted by the island natives. A delight." --Dee Robinson, Village Books, Bellingham, WA

THE PROMISE OF HAPPINESS, by Justin Cartwright (Bloomsbury, $14.95, 9781596913790 / 1596913797) "Book clubs will find lots to discuss in this appealing novel of a British family coming to terms with changes of fortune. Juliet, the favored daughter, has been released from a New York prison after serving a term for an art swindle. As her brother gently eases her back to freedom, the rest of the family anticipates her return. Writing with wry humor and an sly affection for all the characters, Cartwright does a masterful job of describing the redemptive power of love." --Kathy Zickler, University Book Store, Seattle, WA

THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS THAT HEAVEN BEARS, by Dinaw Mengestu (Riverhead, $14, 9781594482854 / 1594482853) "Tackling themes of racism, urban gentrification, and immigrant identity, The Beautiful Things that Heaven Bears is a powerful novel that should appeal to book groups. Sepha Stephanos is an immigrant from Ethiopia, operating a small grocery store in a poor section of Washington, D.C. As the neighborhood undergoes renewal, it becomes apparent that Sepha and his neighbors are not part of the long-term plan. Mengestu's understated style enhances the story's poignancy and his gentle humor keeps it entertaining." --Mark La Framboise, Politics & Prose Books & Coffee, Washington, DC

BETWEEN, GEORGIA, by Joshilyn Jackson (Grand Central Publishing, $13.99, 9780446699457 / 0446699454) "This hilarious story set down South tells the story of the Crabtrees and the Fretts, two feuding families. Nonny, who was born a Crabtree but raised by the Fretts, is in between in many ways. A book group favorite that inspired spirited discussion about everything from deaf-mute individuals to dieting." --Erica Caldwell, Present Tense, Batavia, NY

COAL BLACK HORSE: A Novel, by Robert Olmstead (Algonquin, $13.95, 9781565126015 / 1565126017) "If you choose to read Coal Black Horse, be prepared to ride out of the sheltered mountain hollow that is the only home you have ever known and experience a war-torn landscape that will test you and leave you grasping for familiar shreds of the world you thought you knew. And when you return to your world after reading this beautiful and haunting book, be prepared to see all of existence with fresh new eyes. I loved and was transformed by this novel." --Daniel W. Chartrand, Water Street Books, Exeter, NH

FIVE SKIES, by Ron Carlson (Penguin, $14, 9780143113461/ 0143113461) "Three men, all strangers and all wounded by their pasts, come together in the Idaho wilderness for a construction project. As they build, they also create a family and begin to heal. This is a beautiful story about the power of male friendships, and the power of the wilderness." --Lisa Sharp, Nightbird Books, Fayetteville, AR

LAST NIGHT AT THE LOBSTER, by Stewart O'Nan (Viking, $19.95 hardcover, 9780670018277 / 0670018279) "Last Night at the Lobster is a poignant portrayal of lives that often go unnoticed. It's four days before Christmas, and the last day of business for a Red Lobster restaurant not making its numbers near a fledgling mall in a no-name New England town. Manny, the manager, is stalwart in a job that is often thankless, now facing a snowstorm that shuts down the town. O'Nan uses brilliant nuance to tell a deeply moving story of life in the work-a-day world." --Sarah Bagby, Watermark Books, Wichita, KS

THE ROPE WALK: A Novel, by Carrie Brown (Anchor, $13.95, 9780307278098 / 0307278093) "In a category with To Kill a Mockingbird, this is a beautiful story of a friendship between a young boy and girl as they visit and read aloud to a dying neighbor." --Jenny Fischer, The Bookstore, Glen Ellyn, IL

STEALING BUDDHA'S DINNER, by Bich Minh Nguyen (Penguin, $14, 9780143113034 / 0143113038) "Bich Minh Nguyen's memoir captures the many nuances of being Vietnamese in 1980s right-wing Grand Rapids, Michigan. To cope with life, she develops three different worlds -- the one inside her home, outdoors in Grand Rapids, and in books and television. A great book that I will recommend to my book club." --Andra Tracy, Out Word Bound, Indianapolis, IN

THE PULPWOOD QUEENS' TIARA-WEARING BOOK-SHARING GUIDE TO LIFE, by Kathy Patrick (Grand Central Publishing, $13.99, 9780446695428/ 0446695424) "Here's Kathy Patrick's hilarious, down-to-earth account of her life and how books have affected her -- and how they can affect you, too. If your bookstore had an exchange program, I'd love to be sent to Beauty and the Book, Patrick's bookstore/hair salon." --Elizabeth Haas, Tattered Cover Bookstore, Denver, CO

THE SECRET OF LOST THINGS: A Novel, by Sheridan Hay (Anchor, $14.95, 9780307277336/ 030727733X) "This story of the search for a lost Melville manuscript is such a book-lover's book! So much of our character is revealed through this novel's truly diverse and interesting folks, and their various connections to and obsessions with the world of books." --Karen M. Frank, Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Center, VT

THE THIRTEENTH TALE: A Novel, by Diane Setterfield (Washington Square Press, $15, 9780743298032 / 0743298039) "A woman raised in a bookstore receives a mysterious invitation to write the famous, and reclusive, novelist Vida Winter's untold biography. But is the account Vida gives her the truth, or yet another fabrication? This debut novel is an atmospheric and gothic tale that grips you from the outset and never lets go. Truly a book-lover's book." --Paul Hanson, Eagle Harbor Book Company, Bainbridge Island, WA

THEY DID IT WITH LOVE, by Kate Morgenroth (Plume, $14, 9780452288973 / 0452288975) "On the surface, this is a light-hearted group of well-off women who have moved from New York City to the country and have started a mystery book club. However, one of the members turns up dead, and Morgenroth keeps the plot twists coming. The literary criticisms the characters make about mysteries are just frosting on deliciously complex spice cake." --Lauretta Nagel, Constellation Books, Reisterstown, MD

THE MADONNAS OF LENINGRAD: A Novel, by Debra Dean (Harper Perennial, $13.95, 9780060825317 / 0060825316) "In 1941, as the staff of the Hermitage pack up the contents of the museum in an effort to protect the treasures from the Luftwaffe, a young docent walks through the rooms and describes every piece from memory. Many years later, she is stricken with Alzheimer's and relives those wartime days because she can't remember anything since then. A heartbreaking, beautiful story." --Susan Wasson, Bookworks, Albuquerque, NM

MAN GONE DOWN: A Novel, by Michael Thomas (Grove Press, Black Cat, $14, 9780802170293 / 0802170293) "Not a plot-driven page-turner, but no less riveting, this is one of the most intricately detailed surveys of interior life I've read. A great work of fiction, particularly if you judge it by the standard of how it does the thing that no other art form can." --Sarah McNally, McNally Robinson Booksellers, New York, NY

MONIQUE AND THE MANGO RAINS, by Kris Holloway (Waveland, $17.95, 9781577664352 / 1577664353) "This memoir of a Peace Corps volunteer in Mali and the friendship she develops with a young midwife is moving, informative, thought-provoking, and great for discussion. What I learned about village life in Mali and, above all, about Monique will stay with me for a long time." --Nancy Felton, Broadside Bookshop, Northampton, MA

WHISTLING IN THE DARK, by Lesley Kagen (NAL, $13.95, 9780451221230 / 0451221230) "I'm convinced that Sally O'Malley is real -- she's that vivid and alive to me. Her sister Troo and her friends and neighbors are, too. Her Milwaukee neighborhood teems with life's small pleasures, hard-won joys and nearly unbearable sorrows, all observed through the prism of 10-year-old Sally's perspective on life, death, loyalty and love. I'll be recommending this affecting first novel at every opportunity to customers and reading groups." --Diana Cohen, Books & Company, Oconomowoc, WI

ABUNDANCE: A Novel of Marie Antoinette, by Sena Jeter Naslund (Harper Perennial, $15.95, 9780060825409 / 0060825405) "The 'abundance' of the title refers to the wealth of love Marie Antoinette appears to have for her husband, her children, her mother, and many friends at court. While the revolution stripped her of her crown, her husband, and every material possession, it could not take away her loving soul. I absolutely loved this book and look forward to recommending it with love to many fellow book-lovers." --Karen Vail, Armchair Bookstore, Dennis, MA

A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY, by Libba Bray (Delacorte Books for Young Readers, $9.99, 9780385732314 / 0385732317) "Libba Bray's novel may have been written as a novel for teens; however, the historical setting, mystery, fantasy, and touch of romance are just as appealing for adults. Bray masterfully explains the trials and tribulations for women in the Victorian era and relates the characters to modern life." --Cathy Allard, BayShore Books LLC, Oconto, WI

MISTRESS OF THE ART OF DEATH, by Ariana Franklin (Berkley, $15, 9780425219256 / 0425219259) "A serial killer, suspicion focusing on one particular ethnic group, discrimination against a female doctor, politics influenced by money -- sound familiar? Maybe, but this book is set in the medieval Cambridge of Henry II. There are timeless themes of prejudice, ignorance, and intolerance to explore, a motley cast of delightfully drawn characters, and an intriguing plot." --Nicola Rooney, Nicola's Books, Ann Arbor, MI

RASPUTIN'S DAUGHTER, by Robert Alexander (Penguin, $14, 9780143038658 / 0143038656) "Our book club was 100 percent in agreement about loving this title. We all were interested in the Romanov tragedy, and Rasputin is one of the most fascinating characters involved in the revolution. The novel will prompt discussion of the parent-child relationships in the Rasputin and Romanov families and the interdependence of the families, as well as the effects of revolution on individuals and society." --Deb McDonald, Garden District Book Shop, New Orleans, LA

CHRISTINE FALLS: A Novel, by Benjamin Black (Picador, $14, 9780312426323 / 0312426321) "John Banville, Booker Award winner, writing under a pen name, has written a solid, dark, absorbing mystery, set in 1950s Dublin, that is full of the history and Catholic influence of the time. This literate thriller introduces an intelligent, stubborn hero you will be eager to follow to the next tale." --Leslie Reiner, Inkwood Books, Tampa, FL

RESTLESS: A Novel, by William Boyd (Bloomsbury, $14.95, 9781596912373 / 1596912375) "This novel has it all -- a great mystery, international intrigue and espionage, historical realities, and family relationships -- and it is written in wonderful prose. Reading groups will want to discuss war-time duplicities past and present, mother-daughter differences, and the strength of women in any conflict." --Helene Meyer and Kathleen Dixon, Islandtime Books & More, Washington Island, WI

FIELDWORK: A Novel, by Mischa Berlinski (Picador, $14, 9780312427467 / 0312427468) "Fieldwork is a mystery story within the story of a journalist with the same name as the author. Following a lead on an anthropologist found dead in prison, Berlinski embarks on a journey in which he encounters missionaries, scientists, and the local people with whom they interact. Readers of Fieldwork may ask themselves the reasons for and the effects of fieldwork abroad, whether it be by a missionary, a journalist, or a scientist." --Carol Dunn, Northwind Book & Fiber, Spooner, WI

LONELY WEREWOLF GIRL, by Martin Millar (Soft Skull Press, $16.95, 9780979663666 / 0979663660) "Martin Millar can spin a tall tale with the best of them, and leave you hiccupping with laughter and smiling ruefully in recognition. His latest is a story of a confused young werewolf overwhelmed by the pressures of life, who gets taken under the wings of two well-meaning, but very naive students. Offbeat and wonderful, with a sympathy and understanding for outsiders, the lost, and the lonely." --Rich Rennicks, Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe, Asheville, NC

MISTER PIP, by Lloyd Jones (Dial, $12, 9780385341073 / 0385341075) "Lloyd Jones' novel of a teacher on a war-ravaged island will seduce you with the charm of its beginning chapters, but will also shock with an impact that will leave you thinking about Mister Pip for some time to come. This is the sort of book that makes you want to write a fan letter to the author -- and to talk to your fellow book club members right away." --Andy Lillich, University of Oregon Bookstore, Eugene, OR (Available after May 20.)

PEONY IN LOVE, by Lisa See (Random House Trade Paperbacks, $14, 9780812975222 / 0812975227) "This is the saga of Peony -- the pampered, cloistered daughter of a wealthy household in 17th-century China -- betrothed to an unknown suitor but drawn to a man who awakens in her previously unfelt emotions. See has created a vivid picture of China under the Manchu dynasty in this extraordinary novel." --Elaine R. Cremaldi, Square Books, Oxford, MS

THE SUMMER BOOK, by Tove Jansson (NYRB Classics, $14, 9781590172681 / 159017268X) "A modern classic about living both simply and hand-in-hand with nature. Jansson's episodic story of rural Finland is moving yet too graceful and mature to stoop to sentimentality. I can't imagine a book more likely to make readers fall in love with Scandinavia so completely." --Adam Walter, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA

GRACE (EVENTUALLY): Thoughts on Faith, by Anne Lamott (Riverhead, $14, 9781594482878 / 159448287X) "Delightfully irreverent, yet faithfully steady, Lamott's contemplative, honest, and soulful essays on spirituality and life are always funny and full of heart." --Stacie Williams, Harry W. Schwartz Bookshop, Milwaukee, WI

IN DEFENSE OF FOOD: An Eater's Manifesto, by Michael Pollan (Penguin Press, $21.95 hardcover, 9781594201455 / 1594201455) "Michael Pollan argues the straightforward argument: 'Eat food'. While this seems simple and obvious, in the age of 'nutritionism' that we live in, with all the health claims on packaged foods, it proves difficult and confusing to simply eat food -- real food. There is so much talk about what nutrients are beneficial or detrimental to our health, but it is almost impossible to analyze the effects of one single nutrient on our health. Instead, we should simply 'Eat food.'" --Angie Fesperman, Inkwood Books, Tampa, FL

THREE CUPS OF TEA: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin (Penguin, $15, 9780143038252 / 0143038257) "Greg Mortenson has done the incredible in some of the poorest parts of the world by building schools and giving children in Pakistan and Afghanistan what they need most, an education. Required reading for all of the leaders of the First World." --Claudia Wohlfeil, University of Idaho Bookstore, Moscow, ID