Tuesday, December 16, 2003
New Book Sense 76
The Jan/Feb 76 list is now up at Bookweb.org:
http://news.bookweb.org/booksense/2060.html
Titles of note:
7. ANY HUMAN HEART, by William Boyd (Vintage, $14.95 paper, 1400031001) "Using fictional diary entries, Boyd has created a magnificent portrait of a man whose life touches on many of the high and low points of the 20th century. Real historical figures are deftly woven into a narrative so real it's hard to believe the diarist, Logan Montstuart, isn't truly the writer. After following Logan's life -- with its humor, adventure, and pathos -- you'll be saddened when it must come to an end." --Kathi Kirby, Powell's City of Books, Portland, OR
I loved the galley of this book. This should be pitched to book clubs. -Jay
9. READING LOLITA IN TEHRAN: A Memoir in Books, by Azar Nafisi (Random House, $13.95 paper, 081297106X) "Nafisi tells of her life in Iran, her experiences teaching literature at a university, and her secret meetings with a group of women who come together to read and discuss books forbidden by Iran's Islamic government. With Iran and Iraq in the news every day, I was excited to find a book that put a human face on this region." --Terrell Aldredge, Wide World Books & Maps, Seattle, WA
Paperback of this hot title from last spring -Jay
APPRENTICE TO THE FLOWER POET Z., by Debra Weinstein (Random House, $23.95, 1400061555) "When aspiring young poet Annabelle Goldsmith meets up with her idol, the 'Flower Poet' known only as Z., she's thrilled at the prospect of an apprenticeship that will help her learn the true meaning of poetry. The last thing she expects to be doing is sewing buttons on her mentor's jacket -- or learning the ins and outs of Z.'s dysfunctional family. In this hilarious journey through academia, author Weinstein is the playful Toto who pulls the curtain aside to reveal the desperation, jealousy, and lust behind the world of prize-winning poets." --Gina Webb, Tall Tales Book Shop, Atlanta, GA
Why does this book sound so familiar? I feel like I've been seeing galleys of this for three years -Jay
NOT THE END OF THE WORLD, by Kate Atkinson (Little, Brown, $23.95, 0316614300) "In Atkinson's new collection of short stories, Charlene and Trudi shop for clothes in a city on the brink of economic destruction, Heidi's cat takes over her life in unprecedented ways, and Marianne continues to live amongst her family -- even after her death. Welcome to the wacky world of Whitbread Award-winning author Atkinson: strange, magnetic, and completely believable." --Nicole Albright, Village Books, Bellingham, WA
This author sells good in America, but not great. I keep expecting her to have a breakout book sometime soon. Could this be it? -Jay
THE BOOK OF PROBES, by Marshall McLuhan and David Carson (Gingko Press, $39.95, 1584230568) "Like Kafka and Freud, McLuhan is a writer who is often referred to or quoted without being understood, resulting in a shorthand for cultural conditions that everyone recognizes but few can articulate. This title provides a refreshing representation of the philosopher's work, artfully arraying his ideas as brief statements in the space of the page and setting them against stunning imagery and design work by David Carson." --Michael F. Russo, St. Mark's Bookshop, New York, NY
I'll have to get a copy of this one. If it's as good as it sounds, it could be a major book for 2004. (wow, I just realized how academic leftist our town is if I can say a small press title on McLuhan will be a big book in '04 and keep a straight face.) -Jay
CORK BOAT, by John D. Pollack (Pantheon, $21, 0375422579) "If you've ever had an outlandish idea and did not pursue it, read this book and you'll be energized to try it. John Pollack actually built a boat out of wine corks and sailed it twice -- the last time down a river in Portugal. A hilarious and touching story about friendships." --Hester Jeswald, Sarasota News & Books, Sarasota, FL Also a Random House Audio (0739310038, Abridged CD)
The publisher has been active promoting this one to booksellers recently. We'll see if it gets NPR coverage. This seems much more like a small blip. It strikes me of what one of our customers calls the "non-career narrative" which he defines as "The non-career is a depressing niche for a bookchat lover to follow since it seems to encompass people who don't really achieve anything but seem to busy themselves with everything and nothing." This either makes a good read(Paul Collins' Sixpence House in which the author fails miserably at trying to buy a house, for a whole year, but has a wonderful time surrounded by books) or results in horrible books (Laura Schlesinger comes to mind). -Jay
1968: The Year That Rocked the World, by Mark Kurlansky (Ballantine, $26.95, 0345455819) "As a veteran of the year 1968, I really enjoyed this book. It brought back memories of a time I hadn't realized was pivotal in so many ways. I was in Paris in May 1968, wandering around among my fellow students, watching the police in riot gear -- 1968 brought it all back, and put it into perspective." --Steve Bercu, BookPeople, Austin, TX Also a New Millennium Audio (1590074459, Unabridged CD)
This should get major media attention. The author will be at Canterbury Booksellers in January, can't wait to meet him. -Jay
A SPLENDOR OF LETTERS: The Permanence of Books in an Impermanent World, by Nicholas A. Basbanes (HarperCollins, $29.95, 0060082879) "A book to chew, ruminate, and peruse at length. Does it matter if we preserve original material, or only the substance? Basbanes questions, offers multiple perspectives and historic references, and discusses the use of technology in the world of books and documents." --Becky Milner, Vintage Books, Vancouver, WA
If Nicholas Basbanes had groupies, I guess I'd be one of them. Book Geeks of the world Unite! -Jay
THE CAVE, by Jose Saramago (Harvest, $14, 0156028794) "This is a story of the clash between craftsmanship and the consumer society -- and much more -- told with a rare combination of human richness and philosophical depth, by a master storyteller." --Tom Campbell, The Regulator Bookshop, Durham, NC
The Nobel winner's most recent novel to go into paperback since the award was announced. Should see a lot of book club adoptions. -Jay
HELL AT THE BREECH, by Tom Franklin (Perennial, $12.95, 0060566760) "Franklin is one of America's finest writers. Based on historical events in late 1800s rural Alabama, Hell at the Breech tells the story of a mysterious murder and how it leads a group of poor farmers to form a secret society to punish those they believe responsible. In beautiful prose, Franklin weaves history and fiction to reveal larger truths about human nature and our capacity for good and evil, revenge, and redemption." --Tim Huggins, Newtonville Books, Newton, MA
Tim Huggins has a great eye for literature. -Jay
VINTAGE MURAKAMI, by Haruki Murakami (Vintage, $9.95 paper, 1400033969) "This collection of excerpts showcases some of Murakami's best work and serves as a wonderful introduction to (or reaffirmation of) his talent. Murakami's skill in telling of relationships shoots straight to the heart, and you will only nod as you read, because perhaps you have been there, too." --Carolyn Valtos, Bookworks, Albuquerque, NM
I'm curious to see the publicity for this new series. Will it attract readers? -Jay
STITCH 'N BITCH: The Knitter's Handbook, by Debbie Stoller (Workman, $13.95 paper, 0761128182) "This is the hippest handbook for knitters I've ever seen! The easy instructions and helpful illustrations (and the ultra-cool patterns compiled from crafters all over the U.S.) make this book a must-have!" --Emily Stavrou, Schuler Books & Music, Grand Rapids, MI
We're getting good customer response for this one. -Jay
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Go to Top of Page
http://news.bookweb.org/booksense/2060.html
Titles of note:
7. ANY HUMAN HEART, by William Boyd (Vintage, $14.95 paper, 1400031001) "Using fictional diary entries, Boyd has created a magnificent portrait of a man whose life touches on many of the high and low points of the 20th century. Real historical figures are deftly woven into a narrative so real it's hard to believe the diarist, Logan Montstuart, isn't truly the writer. After following Logan's life -- with its humor, adventure, and pathos -- you'll be saddened when it must come to an end." --Kathi Kirby, Powell's City of Books, Portland, OR
I loved the galley of this book. This should be pitched to book clubs. -Jay
9. READING LOLITA IN TEHRAN: A Memoir in Books, by Azar Nafisi (Random House, $13.95 paper, 081297106X) "Nafisi tells of her life in Iran, her experiences teaching literature at a university, and her secret meetings with a group of women who come together to read and discuss books forbidden by Iran's Islamic government. With Iran and Iraq in the news every day, I was excited to find a book that put a human face on this region." --Terrell Aldredge, Wide World Books & Maps, Seattle, WA
Paperback of this hot title from last spring -Jay
APPRENTICE TO THE FLOWER POET Z., by Debra Weinstein (Random House, $23.95, 1400061555) "When aspiring young poet Annabelle Goldsmith meets up with her idol, the 'Flower Poet' known only as Z., she's thrilled at the prospect of an apprenticeship that will help her learn the true meaning of poetry. The last thing she expects to be doing is sewing buttons on her mentor's jacket -- or learning the ins and outs of Z.'s dysfunctional family. In this hilarious journey through academia, author Weinstein is the playful Toto who pulls the curtain aside to reveal the desperation, jealousy, and lust behind the world of prize-winning poets." --Gina Webb, Tall Tales Book Shop, Atlanta, GA
Why does this book sound so familiar? I feel like I've been seeing galleys of this for three years -Jay
NOT THE END OF THE WORLD, by Kate Atkinson (Little, Brown, $23.95, 0316614300) "In Atkinson's new collection of short stories, Charlene and Trudi shop for clothes in a city on the brink of economic destruction, Heidi's cat takes over her life in unprecedented ways, and Marianne continues to live amongst her family -- even after her death. Welcome to the wacky world of Whitbread Award-winning author Atkinson: strange, magnetic, and completely believable." --Nicole Albright, Village Books, Bellingham, WA
This author sells good in America, but not great. I keep expecting her to have a breakout book sometime soon. Could this be it? -Jay
THE BOOK OF PROBES, by Marshall McLuhan and David Carson (Gingko Press, $39.95, 1584230568) "Like Kafka and Freud, McLuhan is a writer who is often referred to or quoted without being understood, resulting in a shorthand for cultural conditions that everyone recognizes but few can articulate. This title provides a refreshing representation of the philosopher's work, artfully arraying his ideas as brief statements in the space of the page and setting them against stunning imagery and design work by David Carson." --Michael F. Russo, St. Mark's Bookshop, New York, NY
I'll have to get a copy of this one. If it's as good as it sounds, it could be a major book for 2004. (wow, I just realized how academic leftist our town is if I can say a small press title on McLuhan will be a big book in '04 and keep a straight face.) -Jay
CORK BOAT, by John D. Pollack (Pantheon, $21, 0375422579) "If you've ever had an outlandish idea and did not pursue it, read this book and you'll be energized to try it. John Pollack actually built a boat out of wine corks and sailed it twice -- the last time down a river in Portugal. A hilarious and touching story about friendships." --Hester Jeswald, Sarasota News & Books, Sarasota, FL Also a Random House Audio (0739310038, Abridged CD)
The publisher has been active promoting this one to booksellers recently. We'll see if it gets NPR coverage. This seems much more like a small blip. It strikes me of what one of our customers calls the "non-career narrative" which he defines as "The non-career is a depressing niche for a bookchat lover to follow since it seems to encompass people who don't really achieve anything but seem to busy themselves with everything and nothing." This either makes a good read(Paul Collins' Sixpence House in which the author fails miserably at trying to buy a house, for a whole year, but has a wonderful time surrounded by books) or results in horrible books (Laura Schlesinger comes to mind). -Jay
1968: The Year That Rocked the World, by Mark Kurlansky (Ballantine, $26.95, 0345455819) "As a veteran of the year 1968, I really enjoyed this book. It brought back memories of a time I hadn't realized was pivotal in so many ways. I was in Paris in May 1968, wandering around among my fellow students, watching the police in riot gear -- 1968 brought it all back, and put it into perspective." --Steve Bercu, BookPeople, Austin, TX Also a New Millennium Audio (1590074459, Unabridged CD)
This should get major media attention. The author will be at Canterbury Booksellers in January, can't wait to meet him. -Jay
A SPLENDOR OF LETTERS: The Permanence of Books in an Impermanent World, by Nicholas A. Basbanes (HarperCollins, $29.95, 0060082879) "A book to chew, ruminate, and peruse at length. Does it matter if we preserve original material, or only the substance? Basbanes questions, offers multiple perspectives and historic references, and discusses the use of technology in the world of books and documents." --Becky Milner, Vintage Books, Vancouver, WA
If Nicholas Basbanes had groupies, I guess I'd be one of them. Book Geeks of the world Unite! -Jay
THE CAVE, by Jose Saramago (Harvest, $14, 0156028794) "This is a story of the clash between craftsmanship and the consumer society -- and much more -- told with a rare combination of human richness and philosophical depth, by a master storyteller." --Tom Campbell, The Regulator Bookshop, Durham, NC
The Nobel winner's most recent novel to go into paperback since the award was announced. Should see a lot of book club adoptions. -Jay
HELL AT THE BREECH, by Tom Franklin (Perennial, $12.95, 0060566760) "Franklin is one of America's finest writers. Based on historical events in late 1800s rural Alabama, Hell at the Breech tells the story of a mysterious murder and how it leads a group of poor farmers to form a secret society to punish those they believe responsible. In beautiful prose, Franklin weaves history and fiction to reveal larger truths about human nature and our capacity for good and evil, revenge, and redemption." --Tim Huggins, Newtonville Books, Newton, MA
Tim Huggins has a great eye for literature. -Jay
VINTAGE MURAKAMI, by Haruki Murakami (Vintage, $9.95 paper, 1400033969) "This collection of excerpts showcases some of Murakami's best work and serves as a wonderful introduction to (or reaffirmation of) his talent. Murakami's skill in telling of relationships shoots straight to the heart, and you will only nod as you read, because perhaps you have been there, too." --Carolyn Valtos, Bookworks, Albuquerque, NM
I'm curious to see the publicity for this new series. Will it attract readers? -Jay
STITCH 'N BITCH: The Knitter's Handbook, by Debbie Stoller (Workman, $13.95 paper, 0761128182) "This is the hippest handbook for knitters I've ever seen! The easy instructions and helpful illustrations (and the ultra-cool patterns compiled from crafters all over the U.S.) make this book a must-have!" --Emily Stavrou, Schuler Books & Music, Grand Rapids, MI
We're getting good customer response for this one. -Jay
