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1.The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel (Oprah Book Club #62) by: David Wroblewski September 19, 2008
Average Rating: >>More Details		List Price: $25.95 Off The Bookshelf's Price: $14.27 You Save: $11.68 (45%) Prices subject to change. Used Price: $14.25
I just read this book while in Ashland, Wisconsin (where I grew up). Perhaps the environs and my own history there helped me like and embrace this book. As many have stated, the ending doesn't wrap up the loose ends, doesn't feel "deserved" and it is sad. It does feel a bit rushed. That's one reading of it. Or you can read it as a tribute to the connection of Almondine, Gar, Edgar and what the Sawtelle dogs were supposed to be about. Life rarely wraps things tidily or satisfactorily for us. The imagery and heart of this book made up for several of the shortcoming for me. The author reworked this for many years, and perhaps the ending got a little overworked in the process. I like Russian novels so maybe the heavy and depressing are already in my blood... ... Read More

2.Just After Sunset: Stories by: Stephen King November 11, 2008
Average Rating: >>More Details		List Price: $28.00 Off The Bookshelf's Price: $16.80 You Save: $11.20 (40%) Prices subject to change. Used Price: $12.99
I guess it is hard to be king and write short stories after you have written stories like the sun dog, the woman in the room, jerusalem's lot, and even the recently classic 1408. I have to say I was disappointed about how many stories in this book are written from a female storyteller pov. This last story I did finish was simply called N. If you enjoyed this story as much as I did, I highly recommend picking up some of hp lovecraft's work as Steve does a better job of writing the lovecraft influenced short story than anyone else there is. you know paul mccartney still writes songs, and while his new stuff isn't revolver, and steve's stuff isn't night shift.....it still gives you a glimpse into someone who has touched your life with their art which keeps you coming back for more.

3.The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by: Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows July 29, 2008
Average Rating: >>More Details		List Price: $22.00 Off The Bookshelf's Price: $13.20 You Save: $8.80 (40%) Prices subject to change. Used Price: $12.99
After reading this book, I read thru some of the less flattering reviews out of curiosity. I think it boils down to what mood you are in. I find that my mood affects my enjoyment of certain types of books - maybe that true for some who didn't care for this. I enjoyed it, and found myself telling my husband about parts of it that I found interesting - the historical aspects of the area, etc. It's an enjoyable read. The format of the letters makes a nice change - though it wasn't very realistic that all of the letters' authors would have such similar styles of writing. It's difficult to emulate different writing styles - so that was a risk, I thought. But I did enjoy the story, and I guess I was just in the mood for a warm story about a special place, and people who found their families among their ... Read More

4.The White Tiger: A Novel (Man Booker Prize) by: Aravind Adiga October 14, 2008
Average Rating: >>More Details		List Price: $14.00 Off The Bookshelf's Price: $8.40 You Save: $5.60 (40%) Prices subject to change. Used Price: $5.00
The White Tiger just won the Man Booker prize. It is a well-deserved award. (I first heard about The White Tiger when it won a place on the Man Booker short list.) Many others will write long-winded reviews, so I'll spare you. Suffice it to say that this is a terrifically fun--although not intentionally funny--book. The author does such a fine job of character and place development that you see the people and events in your mind's eye. (That's another way of saying that you're really disappointed when you turn the last page, come to the end, and have to leave. You want to hang around and learn more, but there is no more. Sad......) The language is crisp and breezy. The author remains focused on his tale and doesn't meander all over the countryside with needless detail and side stories. ... Read More

5.A Mercy by: Toni Morrison November 11, 2008
Average Rating: >>More Details		List Price: $23.95 Off The Bookshelf's Price: $14.37 You Save: $9.58 (40%) Prices subject to change. Used Price: $14.25
"A Mercy" is one of Toni Morrison's most accessible novels of late. In general, when an author is compared to Faulkner I run the other direction, but Morrison is the exception. The "Faulkner-essence" in "A Mercy" is mercifully minimal. Be not afraid. In this novella, Morrison explores not just slavery, but also the experiences of Native Americans, indentured servants, and the ambivalence of early settlers who were not so keen on slavery...yet benefited from it nonetheless. It is also easy to read a strong anti-religion thread through this story. Neither Protestants nor Catholics escape condemnation, although Lina's made up Native American spirituality seems acceptable. "A Mercy" was an enjoyable read, though it seemed truncated; I would have been happy to read much more about these characters. ... Read More

6.The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by: Junot Díaz September 02, 2008
Average Rating: >>More Details		List Price: $14.00 Off The Bookshelf's Price: $7.95 You Save: $6.05 (43%) Prices subject to change. Used Price: $7.82
I got as far as page 106 and couldn't waste any more time on this book. Too many random words in Spanish-just enough to wonder what the author is talking about. There were also a lot of footnotes-tiny footnotes-that made this feel like a boring school book. I tried, but couldn't finish this book. We read it for a book club and others had the same opinion.

7.2666: A Novel by: Roberto Bolano November 11, 2008
Average Rating: >>More Details		List Price: $30.00 Off The Bookshelf's Price: $19.80 You Save: $10.20 (34%) Prices subject to change. Used Price: $19.35
This is, simply put, My Favorite book. Roberto Bolano worked very hard to get to this point. I read most of his books, and it shows how he was walking the path to get to this point, in which he embraces all different styles of writing and storytelling. The subject and stories are very relevant to our times. He makes philosophical and political statements in a very elegant way, and never forgetting about good humor. He erases borders in styles and formats. Hopefully all artists can learn from his approach to literature and take a step forward.

8.Water for Elephants: A Novel by: Sara Gruen April 09, 2007
Average Rating: >>More Details		List Price: $13.95 Off The Bookshelf's Price: $9.92 You Save: $4.03 (29%) Prices subject to change. Used Price: $2.98
Could not put this book down. Eye opening and very well written. A must read for all book lovers.

9.The Appeal by: John Grisham November 18, 2008
Average Rating: >>More Details		List Price: $14.00 Off The Bookshelf's Price: $8.40 You Save: $5.60 (40%) Prices subject to change. Used Price: $7.96
I read all of Grisham's books and usually like them, but this is way below standard. The characters are too stereotypical, they are either perfectly good or perfectly bad; the story is predictable, and there is too much politics. Spoiler: All republicans are bad, all democrats are good. Only republicans take money from big business.

10.The Secret Life of Bees by: Sue Monk Kidd August 20, 2008
Average Rating: >>More Details		List Price: $15.00 Off The Bookshelf's Price: $8.59 You Save: $6.41 (43%) Prices subject to change. Used Price: $7.50
My book-club liked it more than I did, although I was the one who picked it out. It was a good book, I just don't think it will be that memorable to me in the long run.

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