The Book Sense 2007 - 2008 Reading Group Picks

September 18, 2007

1. THE RUSSIAN CONCUBINE: A Novel, by Kate Furnivall (Berkley, $15, 9780425215586 / 042521558X) "This intriguing novel, set in 1920s China, tells the story of a White Russian refugee and a communist kung fu master: star-crossed lovers facing danger and poverty. It's an interesting tale of love and violence, danger and history, that will inspire great book club discussions." --Debbie Scheller, A Likely Story, Sykesville, MD

2. THE BOOK THIEF, by Markus Zusak (Knopf Books for Young Readers, $11.99, 9780375842207 / 0375842209) "This story of a foster girl living outside of Munich during WWII was the best book I read last year, and I cannot wait to talk about it with my book group. The Book Thief is the most moving and imaginative of novels." --Andy Lilich, University of Oregon Bookstore, Eugene, OR

3. SPECIAL TOPICS IN CALAMITY PHYSICS, by Marisha Pessl (Penguin, $15, 9780143112129 / 0143112120) "Blue and her widowed, professor father travel to a new university every semester. In her senior year, she makes the acquaintance of some offbeat teens and a teacher. Pessl's story is imaginative and well written, and the ending is a surprise. There is much to discuss, and her beautiful descriptions made it worth reading." --Pam Lamborn, JackRabbit Hollow Unique Books, Peabody, KS

4. COAL BLACK HORSE: A Novel, by Robert Olmstead (Algonquin, $23.95 hardcover, 9781565125216 / 1565125215) "Young protagonist Robey and the reader embark on a journey during the Civil War to save Robey's father and brother, and they are carried by a stunning, mystical creation: Robey rides the coal black horse, and the reader is carried by Olmstead's beautiful, lyrical prose. Book clubs will see beyond the hopelessness of war and will question whether miracles can occur." --Kelly Wells, The King's English, Salt Lake City, UT

5. THE GIRLS: A Novel, by Lori Lansens (Back Bay, $13.99, 9780316066341 / 0316066346) "A poignant story of conjoined twins that's so believable I first thought it was nonfiction. At age 29, Rose decides to write her autobiography, and Ruby joins in. The women have distinct lives and personalities, thanks to their dedication to compromise and their deep love for one another. A great book club selection because it deals with the concepts of unconditional love, sacrifice, and the ability of others to look past the twins' condition." --Elena Kruglyak & Anne Laird, The Town Book Store, Westfield, NJ

6. GENTLEMEN AND PLAYERS: A Novel, by Joanne Harris (Harper Perennial, $14.95, 9780060559151 / 0060559152) "Snyde grew up desperately wanting to attend St. Oswald's School, but his father was the maintenance man, thus ensuring Snyde wasn't St. Oswald's material. Harris provides all the clues to the forged identity of the grown-up Snyde, now a teacher with plans to wreak havoc on the school. She's also a sleight-of-hand master: Even the most astute reader will be guessing until the end of this twisty tale about a twisted person." --Dana Schulz, Snowbound Books, Marquette, MI

7. 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 -- 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." --Kathleen Dixon, Islandtime Books & More, Big Pine Key, FL

8. THE THIRTEENTH TALE: A Novel, by Diane Setterfield (Washington Square Press, $15, 9780743298032 / 0743298039) "This gothic suspense story rejuvenates the genre with a closely plotted, clever foray into a world of secrets, confused identities, lies, and half-truths, all with a great historic background." --De Gabrys, Footnotes Book Store, Mountain Home, ID

9. THE INHERITANCE OF LOSS, by Kiran Desai (Grove, $14, 9780802142818 / 0802142818) "The Inheritance of Loss, set during a Nepalese insurgency in the mountains, offers a moving glimpse into a culture and way of life that most readers will not experience. In the vein of A Thousand Splendid Suns and Peony in Love, Desai pulls us in from the opening line." --Betsy Goree, The Book Shelf, Tryon, NC

10. FUN HOME: A Family Tragicomic, by Alison Bechdel (Mariner, $13.95, 9780618871711 / 0618871713) "Our book group loved Fun Home, and it was the first graphic novel some of us had ever read. The literary references were fun to explore, and the author's ambivalence about her feelings for her father made for good discussion. We also discussed gay rights and the coming-out experience before and after Stonewall. Fun Home is riveting, insightful, and compassionate." --Linda Bubon, Women & Children First, Chicago, IL

THE ACCIDENTAL, by Ali Smith (Anchor, $13.95, 9781400032181 / 1400032180) "Each chapter is skillfully rendered in the voice of one of the five characters: the precocious preteen; the obsessive adolescent; the philandering scholar; the floundering writer; and the accidental. The Smart family is existentially treading water, and Amber, the accidental element who enters their lives, is the catalyst that pushes them under, or shocks them into action. Complex and accessible, full of panache and verve, The Accidental is well worth reading." --Emily Pullen, Skylight Books, Los Angeles, CA

ASTRID AND VERONIKA: A Novel, by Linda Olsson (Penguin, $14, 9780143038078 / 0143038079) "This is the first book in 31 years in business for which I'm offering a money-back guarantee. So far, no one has taken me up on the offer. Astrid and Veronika is the story of a slow-to-develop friendship between two women with a lot of pain in their pasts. They are from different countries, cultures, and decades, yet they heal as their trust in one another grows. The end of the story will warm your heart and remind you of the value of friendship." --Judy Mathys, Family Book Shop, Deland, FL

EVERYMAN, by Philip Roth (Vintage, $13, 9780307277718 / 0307277712) "This tale of mortality is brief and incisive, with lingering moments of quiet reflection. With its exploration of regrets and longings that are universal, it's sure to create meaningful conversation for book clubs wanting to read Roth." --Valerie Koehler, Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, TX

HICK, by Andrea Portes (Unbridled, $14.95, 9781932961324 / 1932961321) "Luli's life is barely tolerable. Her parents are detached from each other and from her as they struggle with their miserable, selfish existence. In desperation, Luli takes off on her own, searching for something better. What she finds is an adult world full of things bigger and darker than a 13-year-old can protect herself from. Luli's story is beautifully written, with a raw intensity that makes this a powerful, memorable debut." --Holly Frakes, Schuler Books & Music, Okemos, MI

HUNTING AND GATHERING, by Anna Gavalda (Riverhead, $16, 9781594481444 / 159448144X) "Originally written in author Anna Gavalda's native French, this wonderful book takes three seemingly dysfunctional individuals and transcends their stereotypes by delving into their private desires. It is a beautifully under-written book, and the reader will not want their story to end." --Lisa Kaplan & Robyn Caperton, Laguna Beach Books, Laguna, CA

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

RETURNING TO EARTH: A Novel, by Jim Harrison (Grove, $14, 9780802143310 / 0802143318) "Donald, a 45-year-old Michigan contractor, is dying of ALS, so his wife is recording his life story for his children. The good life he has attempted to live is of a piece with the good death he wishes to create. After his death, we learn more about him from his wife, daughter, and young friend as they struggle with their intense grief. The arc of this man's life is certain to inspire discussion and linger in memory." --Ellen Sandmeyer, Sandmeyer's Bookstore, Chicago, IL

A SPOT OF BOTHER: A Novel, by Mark Haddon (Vintage, $13.95, 9780307278869 / 0307278867) "The 'spot of bother' that the lovely English family in this hilarious novel is having rages from a daughter who is about to marry the wrong man (again) to a father who is having a complete nervous breakdown (and who occasionally is on his hands and knees behind the sofa mooing like a cow). Book groups will love the humor but also the poignancy of these nice people trying to figure out their evolving lives." --Elisabeth Grant-Gibson, Windows a bookshop, Monroe, LA

THE WEDNESDAY LETTERS: A Novel, by Jason F. Wright (Shadow Mountain, $19.95 hardcover, 9781590388129 / 1590388127)
"A touching story of family and faith. Three adult children return to the family homestead following the unexpected deaths of their parents. As they share their grief, they discover a box of letters their father had written to their mother every Wednesday of their 39-year marriage -- and a secret about their past." --Aly Valentine, Harrison Street Books, Easton, MD

WHEN MADELINE WAS YOUNG: A Novel, by Jane Hamilton (Anchor, $13.95, 9781400096992 / 1400096995) "The accident that sends Aaron Maciver's young wife back to the mental age of seven and this event's consequences on two generations of his family are a perfect plot for Jane Hamilton, who once again presents an otherwise ordinary family with an extraordinary crisis. Book clubs could not ask for a better title for thoughtful discussion." --Cheryl McKeon, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA

CHOSEN BY A HORSE: A Memoir, by Susan Richards (Harvest, $13, 9780156031172 / 0156031175) "Richards' life has been a difficult one: She was five when her mother died, and was raised by abusive relatives. The adult Richards, newly divorced, agrees to take in an elderly racehorse from the SPCA. The author already owns three horses, but it is with Lay Me Down that she forges a healing, life-altering relationship. This book is for anyone who has loved a horse, and everyone who has lost a loved one." --Lori Peters, Wild About Books, Clearlake, CA

EAT, PRAY, LOVE: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia, by Elizabeth Gilbert (Penguin, $15, 9780143038412 / 0143038419) "Eat, Pray, Love has it all. Many stories of soul-searching come with a know-it-all narrative voice that makes it hard for me to keep turning pages, mainly because I don't know it all and get tired of reading about people who do. By contrast, Gilbert shares her tale in a voice rich with gentleness and hope, with a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor." --Andrea Avantaggio, Maria's Bookshop, Durango, CO

THE GLASS CASTLE: A Memoir, by Jeannette Walls (Scribner, $15, 9780743247542 / 074324754X) "The magic of Walls' writing turns a book that could be a bitter reflection on a life of sadness into a humorous, enchanting tale. Her childhood was defined by poverty and her parents' active, irrational imaginations. Yet Walls makes her story into an adventure, taking the reader on a journey through American society and its problems, such as homelessness, substance abuse, sexual misconduct, and depression. An inspiring, exceptional memoir that will shock and charm readers." --Sarah Cook, The Cottage Book Shop, Glen Arbor, MI

HEART IN THE RIGHT PLACE: A Memoir, by Carolyn Jourdan (Algonquin, $23.95 hardcover, 9781565124875 / 1565124871) "When I first read this, it reminded me of a James Herriot book about people instead of animals -- but it's much more than that. When her mother has a heart attack, Jourdan moves back home in an effort to help run her parents' rural medical practice (her father is the doctor, her mother the receptionist). In addition to heartwarming stories about various patients, Jourdan shares her own funny, edifying, satisfying experiences." --Cindy Reinhardt, University Book Store, Seattle, WA

MISS AMERICAN PIE: A Diary of Love, Secrets, and Growing Up in the 1970s, by Margaret Sartor (Bloomsbury, $11.95, 9781596912014 / 1596912014) "Anyone who is, or ever has been, a teenage girl will relate to this book. Sartor's candid memoir chronicles her journey from age 13 to 18 and -- though it does give insight into the South in the 1970s -- it truly is timeless." --Dana Barrett, Coffee Buy the Book, Roswell, GA

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) "Gripping from its opening paragraphs, where Greg Mortenson faces a near-death experience in the Himalayas, this book is part adventure story and part spiritual manual. By chronicling Mortenson's quest to educate local children in rural Pakistan and Afghanistan, the authors also educate us on the universal nature of the human condition." --Sue Bradley, Tinman Artworks, Spokane, WA

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 with his wife-to-be. 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

THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING, by Joan Didion (Vintage, $13.95, 9781400078431 / 1400078431) "The Year of Magical Thinking is more than just a book about death. It is a silently devastating narrative of personal experience -- one for which discussion is demanded. There is a reason Didion's memoir has merited a place on so many people's bookshelves. Read it and you will understand why." --Suzanna Hermans, Oblong Books & Music, Rhinebeck, NY

THE OMNIVORE'S DILEMMA: A Natural History of Four Meals, by Michael Pollan (Penguin, $16, 9780143038580 / 0143038583) "This book changed the way I thought about food, from how it's grown to how I buy and consume it. A lot of this book is hard to digest; Pollan hits right into the kitchen of every American home. From how we've marginalized farmers into growing only corn and soy to how we feed our animals food they were never meant to eat, this is a magnificent book on the food culture in America!" --Jason Kennedy, Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops, Milwaukee, WI

THE WEDDING OFFICER: A Novel, by Anthony Capella (Bantam, $22 hardcover, 9780553805475 / 0553805479) "James Gould is posted to Naples as the Wedding Officer, with the charge of discouraging British soldiers from marrying Italian women. He is intent on doing a good job, but life is not so easily contained by rules. Livia Pertini has cooking in her blood and, when she is hired to cook for the British officers, James realizes doing the right thing doesn't always involve following orders. A moving look at WWII from a fresh perspective." --Deon Stonehouse, Sunriver Books, Sunriver, OR

LATER, AT THE BAR: A Novel in Stories, by Rebecca Barry (Simon & Schuster, $22 hardcover, 9781416535249 / 1416535241) "It's been many years since I've had more than a couple of drinks in one sitting, but I vividly remember the warm rush of affection for the people around me, and the ability to see the best in everyone. Thanks to Later, at the Bar, I recently felt that way again, without the dubious benefit of one drop of alcohol -- and I still smile at the genius behind the impetus for this feeling." --Sue Bronson, Log Mark Bookstore, Cheboygan, MI

KARMA AND OTHER STORIES, by Rishi Reddi (Harper Perennial, $12.95, 9780060898823 / 0060898828) "Each story is a small, perfect window into a life in transition. Reddi's Indian-American characters walk in a double world, moving between the U.S. and India, and she compassionately catches them in the moments when they stumble, cartwheel, or rise. Her collection samples immigrant experiences in Boston, Wichita, and Hyderabad in ways beautifully reminiscent of Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake and Interpreter of Maladies, but Reddi's voice is her own." --Mark David Bradshaw, Watermark Books, Wichita, KS

ABUNDANCE: A Novel of Marie Antoinette, by Sena Jeter Naslund (Harper Perennial, $15.95, 9780060825409 / 0060825405) "The author of Ahab's Wife tells the tragic story of Marie Antoinette in the first person, which lends immediacy and poignancy to the well-known story. Readers will come away feeling sympathy and understanding for Antoinette, who was falsely accused of saying, 'Let them eat cake.'" --Tim Bryson & Nell Young, Locust Books, Westminster, MD

THE MADONNAS OF LENINGRAD: A Novel, by Debra Dean (Harper Perennial, $13.95, 9780060825317 / 0060825316) "In 1941, the Hermitage Museum was stripped of its contents in order to protect its art from German bombs. Museum guide Marina builds a memory palace by mentally recreating each masterpiece. In contemporary America, her daughter Helen, an artist, tries to come to terms with her mother's failing memory. As Marina's short-term memory erodes, the art she committed to the walls of memory vividly come to vivid life. Dean offers book groups the opportunity to discuss history, youth, and memory, and the ways language and art span the gaps between them." --Kelly Wells, The King's English, Salt Lake City, UT

THE MANY LIVES AND SECRET SORROWS OF JOSEPHINE B, by Sandra Gulland (Touchstone, $15, 9780684856063 / 0684856069) "This is the first in a trilogy about the life of Josephine Bonaparte, wife of Napoleon. My women's book club loved this historical novel." -- Caroline Stoufer, Buckskin Booksellers, Ouray, CO

PLUM WINE: A Novel, by Angela Davis-Gardner (Dial, $13, 9780385340830 / 0385340834) "A beautiful contemplation of the nature of love, loss, guilt, and shame. Barbara Jefferson, an American teacher in 1960s Japan, tries to understand the mysterious gift she inherits when her Japanese surrogate mother dies. She also discovers love, and the secrets and sadness of a culture still haunted by Hiroshima. Reading groups will enjoy this book's mystery and love stories, and its evocative portrayal of a time and culture." --Kathryn Henderson, Market Street Books, Chapel Hill, NC

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, by Sara Gruen (Algonquin, $13.95, 9781565125605 / 1565125606) "Water for Elephants has heart-wrenching subplots and is peopled with characters that will live on in readers' memories -- and it brings an early 20th-century circus to life. But this novel is about so much more than a circus: It is the story of Jacob, Marlena, and Rosie the elephant. And ultimately, it is the story of the power of love, friendship, and kindness. It's a poignant, engrossing novel with a wonderfully satisfying conclusion." --Judy Mathys, Family Book Shop, Deland, FL

THE KOMMANDANT'S GIRL: A Novel, by Pam Jenoff (Mira, $13.95, 9780778323426 / 0778323420) "In this novel, rife with emotional impact, Emma (a young Jewish wife) poses as Anna (a gentile Pole). To help the resistance effort, she takes a job as assistant to the Kommandant. And so begins a story filled with drama, tension, suffering, and romance. This is a heartbreaking story -- but it's still hopeful in the end." --Donna Bucholz, Mostly Books, Gig Harbor, WA

THE LEMON TREE: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East, by Sandy Tolan (Bloomsbury, $14.95, 9781596913431 / 1596913436) "A remarkable nonfiction book that describes the decades-long history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a beautiful story filled with fact and compassion." -- Helene Meyer and Kathleen Dixon, Islandtime Books & More, Big Pine Key, FL

ON AGATE HILL: A Novel, by Lee Smith (Algonquin, $13.95, 9781565125773 / 1565125770) "Smith can find the story in everyone. In On Agate Hill, it is Molly Petree, orphaned by the Civil War, who documents her life in her diary and the artifacts she keeps in her treasure box. This seemingly ordinary girl's life becomes extraordinary. This book will inspire readers to consider the ways in which every decision, large or small, reverberates through life -- even if it was a decision made before you were born." --Rona Brinlee, The Book Mark, Atlantic Beach, FL

SUITE FRANCAISE: A Novel, by Irene Nemirovsky (Vintage, $14.95, 9781400096275 / 1400096278) "This book about the German occupation of France was written in 1942; the author, a Russian Jew, was sent to Auschwitz months later. Although Nemirovsky was an outsider in Paris, her home for 20 years, she perfectly describes her French characters' personalities and their reactions to the evacuation of the city. Our book group discussed how real the characters were, and Nemirovsky's point that nationality has little to do with good and evil. It's a tragic yet humorous book made more moving by the author's life story." --Deb McDonald, Garden District Book Shop, New Orleans, LA

THIRTEEN MOONS: A Novel, by Charles Frazier (Random House, $14.95, 9780812967586 / 0812967585) "A beautiful, epic novel of pre-Civil War America that examines things of consequence in life: reverence for nature, compassion for our fellow humans, a sense of belonging, and love. Frazier's talent transports us to the Cherokee Nation in its geographic splendor and political turmoil, and we come away wanting to believe passion, in all its forms, endures." --Gee Gee Rosell, Buxton Village Books, Buxton, NC

LISEY'S STORY: A Novel, by Stephen King (Pocket, $9.99, 9781416523352 / 1416523359) "Since the beginning of his writing career, King has explored new genres in fiction and accomplished amazing things. This is another example of his success. While never failing to write hair-raising prose, King adds a new dimension: In a rare move, he narrates the story through the eyes of a grieving widow, following the clues her husband has left in a supernatural treasure hunt. I recommend this book to anyone who's in the mood for a touching story about letting go ... yet who is still up for a good scare." --Jess Wissmann, Inkwood Books, Tampa, FL

NEVER LET ME GO: A Novel, by Kazuo Ishiguro (Vintage, $14, 9781400078776 / 1400078776) "Ishiguro weaves a mysterious tale of a group of children isolated from the world at that quintessentially British institution, the boarding school. Why are they there? Where are their parents? What will happen when school ends? The children try to answer these questions for themselves, and Ishiguro provides surprising, troubling answers by the end of this gripping novel." --Rich Rennicks, Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe, Asheville, NC

SACRED GAMES: A Novel, by Vikram Chandra (HarperCollins, $27.95 hardcover, 9780061130359 / 0061130354) "This novel opens with the death of a gangster and it never slows down. 'Epic' is too mild a description: At its heart, this book is about good and evil, hatred and love. Mumbai comes alive on the pages: slums with piles of rotting garbage, high-rise apartments, ethereal sunsets, noise and vitality. Bursting with a mass of well-drawn characters, from the street urchins to the cops to the killers, Sacred Games is my pick for book of the year! And it's brimming with topics for discussion." --Deon Stonehouse, Sunriver Books, Sunriver, OR Coming in paperback in January 2008 (Harper Perennial, $16.95, 9780061130366 / 0061130362)

WINKIE, by Clifford Chase (Grove, $12, 9780802143105 / 0802143105) "This is a creative, quirky first novel that tip-paws up behind you and slips a burlap sack of socio-political commentary over your head. Imagine Socrates telling a hilarious yet thought-provoking tale that is equal parts The Little Prince and Puff the Magic Dragon with a few drops of In Cold Blood. It is precisely that type of originality that makes Winkie's journey a refreshing respite from the norm and a wonderful choice for book group discussion." --Jamil Zaidi, Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, WA

THE ZERO: A Novel, by Jess Walter (Harper Perennial, $14.95, 9780061189432 / 006118943X) "It's a rare thing for a first-class existential noir thriller to be celebrated as a laugh-out-loud satire. Readers will be challenged and entertained by this National Book Award finalist, which introduces Policeman Brian Remy, a most untrustworthy narrator, whose life is slipping out of his control days after 9/11. His inability to sort out what's happening as he goes undercover for a secret organization explores the surreal nature of our post-9/11 world." --Judy Klein, Chapter One Book Store, Hamilton, MT

BLACK SWAN GREEN: A Novel, by David Mitchell (Random House, $13.95, 9780812974010 / 0812974018) "Our book club had a fabulous discussion about this book, which depicts the lives of adolescent boys living in the English village of Black Swan Green in the early 1980s. We loved the narrative voice of 13-year-old Jason Taylor, and the story provided many topics to pull and chew on." -Judy Wheeler, Towne Center Books, Pleasanton, CA

THE INHABITED WORLD: A Novel, by David Long (Mariner, $13.95, 9780618872367 / 0618872361) "A man gradually awakens to the facts of his life and death after a stranger moves into his house in The Inhabited World, a novel in which it really is not over until it's over. This book brings up issues about the mystery of consciousness, of our connection with other beings, and of the ability of the living to sleepwalk through life -- all of which have invigorated many discussions." --Karen Maeda Allman, The Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, WA

STONER, by John Williams (NYRB Classics, $14.95, 9781590171998 / 1590171993) "John Williams' novel about the quietly remarkable life of an academic, husband, and father has been praised as a 'perfect' book by reviewers. And we agree!" --Nancy Olson, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC

THE WHISTLING SEASON: A Novel, by Ivan Doig (Harvest, $14, 9780156031646 / 0156031647) "A variety of interesting characters, a strong storyline, and Doig's wonderful writing make this a great choice for book groups. The book will trigger nostalgia as well as thoughtful discussion of the nature of change for individuals and society overall." --Sally Wizik Wills, Sister Wolf Books, Minneapolis, MN

NINETEEN MINUTES: A Novel, by Jodi Picoult (Atria, $26.95 hardcover, 9780743496728 / 0743496728) "This story of the aftermath of a tragic high school shooting is very well written. Picoult's novel shows the compassion and understanding possible in the sight of tragedy -- and highlights why the lines of friendships and families should be treasured." --De Gabrys, Footnotes Book Store, Mountain Home, ID Coming in paperback in January 2008 (Washington Square Press, $15, 9780743496735 / 0743496736) And consider, also, Jodi Picoult's The Tenth Circle (Washington Square Press, $15, 9780743496711 / 074349671X)

THE NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY, by Alexander McCall Smith (Anchor, $6.99, 9781400096886 / 140009688X) "Alexander McCall Smith's The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is an exercise in subtle humor and storytelling and remains a favorite among our book groups. Smith's Mme. Ramotswe solves cases with good sense and a sure moral compass. We recommend this one to any group seeking something truly different." --Betsy Goree, The Book Shelf, Tryon, NC And consider, also, the other titles by Alexander McCall Smith featuring Mme. Ramotswe, including Blue Shoes and Happiness (Anchor, $12.95, 9781400075713 / 1400075718)

A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS: A Novel, by Khaled Hosseini (Riverhead, $25.95 hardcover, 9781594489501 / 1594489505) "This book exemplifies why we read, and why I'm proud to be a bookseller. If I can put this book in readers' hands, Hosseini will ensconce these unforgettable characters in their hearts. In a maze of humanity, there is clarity. We are more than the sum of our parts, our pasts, and our circumstances. Who we are, because of those circumstances, is compelling. Who we can be, in spite of them, is haunting. A book to be read, discussed, and remembered." --Laura Smith, Perfect Pines Books & Gifts, Hale, MI And consider, also, the reading group favorite by Khaled Hosseini The Kite Runner (Riverhead, $14, 9781594480003 / 1594480001)

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