Emma Harte Always Wins by Laurie Edwards
Emma Harte is no ordinary Edwardian lady.
They Were Once America's Team by Laurie Edwards
They were always the Boston Celtics. They were America's team, back in the day.
Military action and jungle adventure for someone who just wanted to read modernist fiction by Stephen Murray
This memoir by a member of a Padaung—small Burmese hill tribe best known for the elongated necks and neck rings of its "giraffe" women—is extraordinary not only in content but in its writing. It has won the Kiriyama Prize for nonfiction
Skimming Sports with a Bad Attitude by Laurie Edwards
Sports isn't allowed to just be an competition; in this book, athletics must be an instrument of social change. Sorry, NO.
Nancy's Been Updated Some! by Laurie Edwards
Carolyn Keene has updated Nancy and Company! Nancy Drew has joined the real world, and it's a surprise to enjoy reading about her.
Which Secrets Is She Talking About? by Laurie Edwards
Laake believes she's written something important, when all she's written is the dragging story of her dull life.
Haven't I Read Something Like This Before? by Laurie Edwards
Eventually, of course, the power of the Heart over the Captain is broken, and Good Triumphs Over Evil. Gee, how original...
Zane Grey Wins the West by Laurie Edwards
"Shore. An' it's good figgerin'. Thet's goin' ta be the hellenest time this border ever had. The Injuns will fight fer thur buffalo."
The Proud History of An American Legend by Kim Lumpkin
William G. Davidson, known as “Willie G,” tells the story of his family's company with an almost religious enthusiasm.
Never a Bride by Laurie Edwards
You'll learn nothing here, and the writing isn't meant to win any prizes. It's just high-spirited and funny.
Grey, Bleak, and Bad Predictions by Laurie Edwards
It's exhausting to wade through, and you can forget about reading it quickly; this will take a while.
Bitchin' Mission Statements Do Not A Good Job Make by Nita Daniel
Mike Daisey fell in love with the vision of Amazon. Somehow, however, Daisey never fell in love with the actual work he was to perform, and he eventually realized how much he disliked his job. Let’s put things in perspective: it would be as if you were desperate to be married, had gotten married, and realized that your spouse was a reprehensible turd.
The Mindset of a Hanging Judge by Laurie Edwards
Judge Snyder is so into getting the "bad guys" off the street that she's willing to overlook the Constitution to do it.
An artform immortalized... finally by Andrew Hicks
It's hard to convince people that the music video medium - over all the others - can most succinctly combine abstract, disjointed imagery with music and narrative. Videos can simultaneously hold the attention of a person with a PhD in art and a teenager stoned off his ass.
Fear of a Changing World by Laurie Edwards
50 Great Short Stories deal with shocks, worries, furies, and constant confusion—and those feelings are what make the collection so precious.
God, a Boot, and a Little Boy Who Cares by Laurie Edwards
This is beautiful. That's all, just beautiful.
The Weakest Link in Crichton's Chain by Laurie Edwards
The story—did Dr. Arthur Lee, a well-known Boston abortionist (back when the procedure was illegal), perform an abortion that killed the socially prominent young patient?—could've been suspenseful and interesting, but Crichton doesn't let it happen.
Some undeveloped ideas for a novel about Paris Noir by Stephen Murray
As a semi-fictionalized document on the attitudes of one major expatriate African American writer, the book has some value.
Kinky, early Tanizaki by Stephen Murray
Recognizably, Tanizaki's unique blend of serious obsession and humor focused on obsessive characters and the unworthy objects of that adoration.
Hot Characters, Re-warmed Plot by David Abrams
Characters so real, you can practically smell the sweatstains of desperation on every page.
Battling the Confederacy by Daniel Briney
Ignatius J. Reilly takes on a hopelessly corrupt world in this engrossing tale from a tragic man.
Utopia Means Instant Messaging? by Jerry Cantu
One of the greatest American novels ever written. Huck Finn may be Twain's greatest, but this novel is much deeper.
Get Off the Cross! by Laurie Edwards
"If you want to throw away your career, that's entirely up to you. Just do it a-fucking-lone." "A-fucking-loan? Wonder what kind of interest rate you can get on something like that," Danny pondered...
A Beautiful Look at an Ugly Tale by Laurie Edwards
Temple-Raston has made honorably fascinating what might have been only morbidly so. She writes intelligently and draws her readers into a nasty story with her dedication to the truth.
Dry as Dust by Laurie Edwards
There's just no real story, and too many pages wasted not telling one. Everything here's been done before—and done better—by a dozen authors.
Invisible by Jerry Cantu
Do you see me? Or my brown skin and "slanted" eyes?
"Stick to Your Own Kind" by Laurie Edwards
Berenzy has added a new and different end to a grand tale, but does it send the right message?
Diary of a Rooftop Gardener by Heather Marie Harris
A personal, diary-like recounting of a year's worth of gardening in the city. A Growing Gardener is a hard-to-find, rare book worth seeking out.
Truth in Advertising? by Kim Lumpkin
It takes a special person make us want to listen to his or her sad story—because we are somehow made better by reading it.
Moving from Romance to Mainstream by Laurie Edwards
A Man to Call My Own overcomes its typecasting and moves into mainstream novel territory with class.
War, Peace and the Hitler Snowman by David Abrams
War is hell and peace is hard in this stunning novel from the author of Birdy.
Jon-Benet Abused Again by Laurie Edwards
Several of the players in this long-running national obsession have denounced A Mother Gone Bad as untrue and libelous.
Revising History With a Full Perspective by Rachel Gordon
An important, educated, perspective on American history that rarely gets captured but needs to circulate.
Giving “Having Your Cake and Eating it, Too” a Whole New Meaning by Kim Lumpkin
After reading books such as Unhooked Generation, with their call for moderation and warnings about our promiscuous society, I found reading A Piece of Cake like going in the extreme opposite direction.
She Is Royally Nekkid! by Jerry Cantu
The first of eleven Mars books is a winner that'll keep you turning the pages like few other books can. An excellent introduction to John Carter and the rest of the Mars gang.
Unsung Heroes of WWII by Laurie Edwards
With the caveat that you have to enjoy history—and maybe have a soft spot for unsung heroes—A Question of Honor: The Kosciuszko Squadron: Forgotten Heroes of World War II is an excellent book, full of references and personal interviews with people who lived important lives.
Entertaining Drugs Without a Moral Hammer by Rachel Gordon
The entire cultural population in Dick’s novel lack ambition. There’s an inescapable circular pattern of either knowing someone who takes Substance D, or personally imbibing it.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's Apache Experience by John Nesbit
What has Kareem Abdul-Jabbar been up to since his retirement from basketball? One year was spent helping coach on the White Mountain Apache Reservation; this recounts his one-year soujourn.
Smart, Gutsy, and Tough by Laurie Edwards
Heather Mills McCartney doesn't come across as a very nice lady, but you've got to give her brownie points for guts, honesty, determination, and caring. In A Single Step, she chronicles her life to this point, and while it doesn't all show her in a very flattering light, it's an extremely interesting look at a woman who doesn't do anything by half-measures.
The Glass Is Half Fuller by Dan Callahan
Fuller autobiography begins with a hammer and ends with a whimper.
Whitewash of Genocide on Taiwan in 1947- by Stephen Murray
The book obviously aims to exculpate the highest Kuomintang officials, Republic of China President Chiang Kaishek and Governor General Ch'en Yi from responsibility for knowing what KMT troops were going to do when they landed on Taiwan and for the subsequent searching out and murder of Taiwanese judged as opponents or potential critics of the regime.
Charming Armchair Travel by Nita Daniel
I emerged from A Year in Provence envious of the Mayles...and very hungry. Get a copy of this charming little book for yourself.
What a Wonderful World by Kim Lumpkin
In A Year in the World, Mayes visits both major cities and, more often, small, out of the way towns and villages that give a real sense of how people really live there.
The Return of Chris Ware by David Abrams
Chris Ware's stories always leaving me gasping and, occasionally, weeping. This short work is no exception.
The After School Special by David Abrams
In her first book for young adults, Francine Prose uses her poison pen to attack McCarthyism, the Patriot Act, and other threats to civil liberty.
What Looks Like a Whisper is Really a Scream by David Abrams
A widow takes an anonymous lover and engages in 24 hours of sexual healing in this stark, compelling first novel.
If you don't go "home" again, people will still talk by Stephen Murray
The standards of looks, fitness, wealth are not very different than what is valued in high school.
Before there's a "reunion," doesn't there have to have been a union? by Stephen Murray
Staying away does not at all prevent being talked about. To the contrary! Hostile speculations about why you didn't show up seem even more common than hostile interrogations about what you've done with your life.
An Agony to Read by Laurie Edwards
The Agony and the Ecstasy is a barely-there novelization about a man whose life has few clues to build a novel about.
Blood on their hands by Stephen Murray
Muriel Spark's 20th novel is a skillful, mordantly entertaining, but unprofound black comedy about the weariness of having been on the run for more than a quarter of a century.
Presidents in the Air by Laurie Edwards
Air Force One is a wonderful collections of important, revealing stories that would've been lost if Kenneth T. Walsh hadn't taken the time to interview the people who've flown on the presidential jet.
The Dark Undercurrents of Venice by Kim Lumpkin
It's not at all unusual for the hero in a thriller to face a moral dilemma, but the reader can generally experience the moral struggle from a safe distance. In Joseph Kanon's historical thriller Alibi, however, the reader gets trapped right in the middle of it.
Methods Change, but Crimes Remain the Same by Laurie Edwards
This book is nearly 500 pages long, and about half of it could be lost without affecting the story at all.
Clark Steps Outside Her Usual Cheap Horror by Laurie Edwards
For Clark's legions of fans, it might be a bit of an oddball, but everybody else should get a solid kick out of All Around the Town
World-making stories by Stephen Murray
Whether or not Cortázar still matters for American readers of world literature, whether or not his novels will become canonical, some of his stories continue to reward reading.
How to Topple a President by Laurie Edwards
What did the President know, and when did he know it?
Cyberpunk for both the reader and the dreamer by Nita Daniel
When Gibson brought cyberpunk to the fore with Neuromancer in 1984, I never dreamed he'd meld the amazing concept into an amazing book. Boy, was I wrong.
Is Democracy Inherently un-Chinese? by Stephen Murray
Both the Chinese communist party leadership and the similarly geriatric authoritarianism of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew have justified their rule by some essential Chinese need for paternalist domination.
Houdini in Tights by David Abrams
After four years of waiting, Michael Chabon's Escapist finally gets his own comic book.
Steinbeck Nonfiction on the Centennial of his Birth by Stephen Murray
Steinbeck's nonfiction is character-driven, just as his fiction is.
A Unique Perspective on History by Kim Lumpkin
In America Discovered, Hayes compiles a most impressive collection of maps from the earliest days of North American exploration, documenting every breakthrough and every misconception.
Nuggets in the Mud by Laurie Edwards
There's some good stuff here, but it's jammed together with so much that's dull or jumbled that digging out the nuggets from the mud just isn't worth my time.
A mixed bag of cultural baubles by Stephen Murray
Like The New Yorker, American Studies includes well-written pieces on a wide array of topics. Generally, one discovers some things of interest about subjects about which s/he didn't previously have an interest.
Incognito Romance Novel by Laurie Edwards
An Accidental Woman is irritating (except for Poppy, one of the best characters I've seen in a while) until you understand this is a Romance Novel.
The African Campaign Gets Some Respect by Laurie Edwards
Rick Atkinson knows what's important and interesting—what people need and want to know about the African campaign. He's combined needs and wants into an immensely readable book I recommend highly.
Open Your Heart - and Your Mind by Kim Lumpkin
An Open Heart is basically a step-by-step guide to a more compassionate nature, which in turn will make us happier people.
...While Thousands Died... by Laurie Edwards
No one in the Middle Ages could write about the Bubonic Plague. If someone had, it would read like And the Band Played On, Shilts’ masterwork on AIDS.
The Best Murder Mystery Ever Written by Laurie Edwards
Mysteries aren't usually considered amongst the body of classics, but And Then There Were None is.
The pleasures and perils of starting a new life by Stephen Murray
Cameron writes dialogue that is a delight to read. Though not how anyone really speaks, it is not artificial in the grand Firbank manner, "only" an improvement on reality (as the countries in which he places expatriates are improvements on what exists).
Greeley Would Try the Patience of a Saint! by Laurie Edwards
Fr. Greeley's romances get worse with each succeeding book. With Angel Fire, he must have just about hit rock bottom.
Great Memories of a Lousy Childhood by Laurie Edwards
How do families survive in the midst of soul-killing poverty and too much booze? Answer: They don't.
Dan Brown's Early Brilliance by Laurie Edwards
This is a fabulous book, one to read in huge chunks and be heartbroken when it ends. But it doesn't really end, of course; you still have a couple more Dan Brown beauties to gobble up.
The Twentieth Century Is Not Dead Yet by Jerry Cantu
This is one of the most significant books of the twentieth century. Some novels never die, and this is one of them; the message sent—and the book itself—will exist long after you and I are gone from this world.
An Exciting New Look Into Animals' Inner Lives by Kim Lumpkin
As our concepts of intelligence and talent continue to evolve, we are forced to change our perceptions of what those who do not have what we would consider to be traditional intelligence are capable of.
Orphan Girl Charms: or, Having a Home by Laurie Edwards
Probably by age nine, girls will get into the Anne books, and once they read this one, they'll be hooked.
Enter the Myth! by Chris Madsen
Want a hilarious Myth? Then check out Robert Asprin's Myth books!
Postcards From the Other Side of the Century by David Abrams
The story as steamer-trunk sticker. We know where the characters have been, but we don't know why they got there.
Where Did All Of My Brain Cells Go? by Rian Montgomery
A raunchy, mindless, eye-rollingly ridiculous book.
America's Turning Point by John Nesbit
For Civil War buffs and anyone with an interest in this period in American history. Jay Winik's lively narrative reads like a suspense novel.
An Old Call for a New Era by Kim Lumpkin
Marilyn Ferguson's book The Aquarian Conspiracy has been both praised and criticized as an influential extension of the "peace and love" philosophy. In Aquarius Now, the focus is on changing our world by changing ourselves from within first.
Cumming On Western Society, and They Lick It by Jerry Cantu
Does it get more erotic than this? Arabian Nights has all the cum-dripping stories you'd expect out of modern porn; the difference is that here you get a great story as well.
Not as Helpful as it Should Be: Bradygames' Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits Official Strategy Guide by Mike Bracken
A rare miss from the folks at BradyGames' Strategy Guides.
The Inescapable Return Of The Grievous Angel by Daniel Reifferscheid
What we have here is the manipulation of two cultures: on one side the liberals, who believe Southerners are racist and dumb, and on the other, the “rednecks” themselves, who are used to being spit on by the world.
Spell Casting in the Summer by Faeries- Aria! by Chris Madsen
Aria: Summer Spell is not your normal comic book. This is a special one, with beautiful artwork and one of the best stories I've ever read. Look for it today!
Such a Disappointment! by Laurie Edwards
This is cheap political shots, no stories, and offensive, gutless ranting from somebody safe in his nice American home. I can't recommend anything more positive for The Arrogance of Truth than buying a copy just to burn it.
Faulkner's Macabre Tour De Force by Kim Lumpkin
You know all of those black comedies involving mishaps and dead bodies? As I Lay Dying may very well be the granddaddy of all of those. That's not saying it's a comedy, but there is definitely a very dark slapstick element to it.
All Too Human by Nita Daniel
Even with its failure to engross me, As I Live and Breathe is a necessary book, perhaps more so for patients than for physicians. Physicians are sometimes hyperaware of—and inured to—the mortality of their patients. However, patients are almost never aware of the reverse. All doctors will eventually be someone’s patient; they are all wrapped in a human packaging.
So Where's the Story? by Laurie Edwards
A couple of great characters and gorgeous scenery can't save a novel with no plot.
Sailboat Story Straggles by Laurie Edwards
Kornblum offers fascinating bits of New York's wacky history, but the book wanders every which way, bogged down with unimportant stuff that has nothing to do with the Big Apple.
Vollmann's Grand Gazetteer by Chris Sweet
This collection of literary outtakes shows Vollmann's huge range and depth.
More Than Just a Book-Flap Peephole by David Abrams
Marion Ettlinger puts faces to words with her AUTHOR PHOTO, a gorgeous collection of her best portraits from the past 20 years.
Anguishes and rewards of passing as white, ca. 1912 by Stephen Murray
The phenomenon of passing as white, the valuation among African-Americans of lighter skin, and the freedom from legal discrimination were major themes of Harlem Renaissance writers.
A Journey of Faith to Power by Laurie Edwards
This is the best autobiography I've ever read. No other telling of the Malcolm X tale is anywhere near as compelling.
Clean-cut All-American boy eager to shock by Stephen Murray
In his films, he strove to be the Pornstar Who Smiles and to make it obvious that he was enjoying himself.
Success Patterns for the Olympic Dream by John Nesbit
Many people fantasize about competing in the Olympics. These people have achieved the dream.
Study of an Average Life by Laurie Edwards
No one does anything, seemingly, except as a submission to or reaction against the dictates of conservative American morality.
Babe Ruth: the Adult Version by John Nesbit
Definitive biography of Babe Ruth, including profanity and stories about his sexual prowess and penis size. The man could fart at will too!
Porno Chic: David Flint's Babylon Blue: An Illustrated History of Adult Cinema by Mike Bracken
While not the perfect guide to the history of porn, Babylon Blue is a veritable primer for newcomers to the world of adult entertainment.
When Doing Everything Right Doesn't Cut It by Kim Lumpkin
In another eye-opening expose, the author behind Nickel and Dimed once again explores a side of the U.S. economy that most of us would rather not think about, but which potentially affects all of us and our families.
Angels, Devils, Human Beings by Kim Lumpkin
Band of Brothers reveals that while there was a great deal of pride and a strong sense of honor among these men, there was also a great deal of anger, bitterness, and fear.
Good Books Banned By the Freaks by Laurie Edwards
Banned in the USA: A Reference Guide to Book Censorship in Schools and Public Libraries tells us where the Freaks have struck lately.
Baseball's Other All-Stars by John Nesbit
Survey of various Baseball Leagues that can be handy reference for fans and spark some debates on All-Star selections.
Ahhh! They killed the samurais! You Bastards! by Chris Madsen
A lone samurai takes on a corrupt school with only his sword and his training. Can he get in and finish it off?
Where Elvis Lives and Bat Boy Reigns by Kim Lumpkin
The Weekly World News is a world unto itself, with its own twisted logic, recurring characters, and moral dilemmas that might actually make you think. Looked at in this way, WWN is a reflection of what we fear and desire most.
The Battle returns! by Chris Madsen
G-Force is back with a vengeance! From cartoon to comic book twenty years later; with nary a gray hair. The Battle is renewed as powerful teenagers take on Earth's invaders!
Koushun Takami Hits a Homerun in his First At Bat: Battle Royale by Mike Bracken
You've seen the movie...now read the book that inspired it.
Losing My Religion by David Abrams
Robert Stone begins his newest novel with a tight coil of spiritual suspense, but then lets it all go slack in the second half.
Barry Goldwater and the Unmaking of the American Consensus by John Nesbit
The 60s were revolutionary times. But in addition to Civil Rights and Vietnam, others were spreading revolutionary seeds that reached fruition in the 1980's. Rick Perlstein eloquently chronicles the American "radical right" here.
Is Baseball Ready for This? by John Nesbit
Gays have played baseball for years, and Major League Baseball certainly has its share of homosexuals (despite the denials). Former umpire Dave Pallone gives an inside view.
How One-Sided Can It Get... by Laurie Edwards
Saints preserve us! It's lucky Michael Collins, Rody McCorley, and Eamon de Valera are already dead; this shit would break their hearts.
The Lives Of The Dead by Chris Sweet
A compact tour-de-force that cements Crace's reputation as one of the best writers of his generation.
No Bone, No Story by Laurie Edwards
Somebody ought to tell the author, Sieb Posthuma, that even kids need some sort of actual story.
Beoring Wurk by Jerry Cantu
Beowulf is the oldest of all English literature...probably the most boring, too.
Beowulf As Christian Narrative by Tony Pellum
Though clearly Christianized, Beowulf represents (though implicitly) the fear of life without God.
Turning Fear and Uncertainty into Assets by Kim Lumpkin
It might seem a bit opportunistic, but motivational speaker Gail Blanke has managed to tap into the world's current state of change and insecurity and use it as the inspiration for this book.
Behind the Nicene Creed by John Nesbit
Scholarly treatise on the early history of Christianity and how the gospels were selected.
One of the best studies of history of homosexuality anywhere. by Stephen Murray
Green's book is clearly written, with much engaging and insightful “native” testimony. Covering developments between 1890 and 1980, it is the best place to begin to understand the appropriation of public space by gay males (the process not being confined to Brazil).
De-exoticizing Japanese sexuality by Stephen Murray
Japanese seem to be relatively sophisticated in dealing with varying presentations of themselves in a variety of contexts and do not allow themselves to be led astray by the idea that they have to present unchangeable selves regardless of contexts.
There Were People In There by Jerry Cantu
Brian W. Vaszily recalls lives of citizens we lost on September 11th.
Baseball Arrives in the Desert by John Nesbit
Should be required reading for all Phoenix residents, and will be pleasurable reading for Diamondbacks fans.
Is Barry in Big Trouble in the Novel Genre? by Kim Lumpkin
The plot holds together, and the descriptions of Miami locations are homage to and satire of this fair-but-definitely-twisted city.
Philosophical Red Herring by Tony Pellum
Neitzsche is opposed to Judaism and Christianity, but his arguments take into account human action rather than scriptural teachings. His attack is wrongly aimed, blaming morals for human error.
Wow, He's Charming! by Laurie Edwards
Though the flaws here are obvious, the book skips along merrily through the Perils of Jonas.
Wings to Fly with a Bullet in Your Head by Laurie Edwards
It's not a murder mystery, it's a cop novel; we trail along with the investigator and watch her figure out whodunit and why.
Overguarding the Heart by Stephen Murray
Blackwater Lightship has all the accumulated bitterness needed for a real emotional slugfest, but it's somewhat superficial and more contrived than Tóibin's The Story of the Night.
"Don't guard your heart too much" by Stephen Murray
Toíbin assembles all the accumulated bitterness for a real emotional slugfest.
Outting the Right Wing Conspiracy by John Nesbit
How can a socially progressive gay journalist allow himself to be seduced into right wing muckraking? David Brock offers a self critical analysis.
The Classy Punks by Kim Lumpkin
It seemed, back in the 70s (as it does today), that you would have to look pretty hard to find anyone who didn't like Blondie.
A Sicilian Dusk for Detective Aurelio Zen by Stephen Murray
Solving a puzzle is a game with very little effect on the interconnected corruptions of police, government, and mobsters.
Words Fail Me by David Abrams
I cannot tell you how or why I loved this graphic novel (subtitled "A Silent Ballad"). I can only urge you to go experience the symphony of images for yourself. You won't be sorry.
No Charm in Muckraking by Laurie Edwards
There's a lot of important information here, but it's so slanted a view of the Clinton Administration that I can't recommend it.
Not Bad...Not Good...Just Sorta THERE by Laurie Edwards
This first novel in the Everard Naval Series isn't too bad... especially if you can't sleep.
Well-Worn Story by Laurie Edwards
There's no attempt here to balance the slate; all we get are the negatives in the character of Henry VIII's elder daughter.
Tracing the Navigator by Laurie Edwards
Blue Latitudes is a story to fall into and fall in love with. A copy should be sent to the governments of all the places Captain Cook (and Tony Horwitz) visited; the heroic story of a great man is being lost.
Sad, Beautiful Blues by Kim Lumpkin
Bowden is as much a poet as an essayist, using a tree throughout to symbolize endurance in the face of despair. It can also a metaphor for the speaker himself—not attractive or well-liked, but refusing to give in to the ugliness that surrounds him.
Happy Birthday, Bob! by Laurie Edwards
Bob, Wendy, Pilchard the cat, and all the construction vehicles have grabbed America's children; no cartoon is more popular now.
Post Cold War Perspective on Fischer-Spassky by John Nesbit
Bobby Fischer is the all time chess "rock star," but the only truly original material in this new take on the "Match of the Century" come from Spassky's camp.
Always up for a Bone.... by Chris Madsen
Jeff Smith's Bone is still going strong! But alas...sad news...only a few more issues to be done...I want my Bone!
Issue number 50! by Chris Madsen
Bone is ending! Pick up #50 to see the beginning of the end...
The Bone is close to an end... by Chris Madsen
Perhaps it's the way of any great storyteller- even the best classics surely has to have an ending… and so it is with Bone. Three more to go… and I'll be riding it all the way to the words The End.
Issue by Issue... Bone creeps towards the end...! by Chris Madsen
I'll make no bones about it, I'm going to miss <b;>Bone;</b> when Jeff Smith and Co. hang up their ink pens!
Time for the Climax! by Chris Madsen
Bone is still on a roll, and still highly enjoyable in the second to last issue of the highly acclaimed comic book! Check it out today - the final issue out shortly!
Bone: The Epilogue - Down to the Marrow! by Chris Madsen
Bone comes to an end in this fantastic double sized issue- and as they say, all good things must come to an end, and this is a fantastic ending!
Make No Bones About It! by Chris Madsen
Right to the bare Bones, Jeff Smith comes up with a high quality, well written, well drawn book for readers of all ages. With terrific characterizations and development, plus fantastic dialogue filled with hilarious humor and edge-of-the-seat suspense and mysticism, this is the book to enjoy over and over again.
Race to the store for more Bone! by Chris Madsen
The Great Cow Race! Who will win?? Gran'ma Ben? The big hulking bee? The mystery cow? The Stupid, stupid Rat Creatures? Who knows?? Grab the book and find out!
Perfect. Nothing to say but "Perfect." by Laurie Edwards
Buy as many copies as you can afford; Mark Doyon must be encouraged to write more of his wonderful stories.
Star Crossed in Love, or Do We Cross Ourselves? by Kim Lumpkin
Don't let the subtitle fool you: this is much more than a love story, although that may be its initial raison d'etre. It may be about a specific couple in a specific time and cultural context, but the basic emotions it touches upon are universal.
"The embraces slip, and nothing seems to stay" by Stephen Murray
There are many different varieties of New Jerusalem, Political, pharmaceutical—I've visited most of them. But of all the embodiments ever built, I'd only return to none, For the sexual New Jerusalem was by far the greatest fun.
The not-so-easy Big Easy, A.D. 1978 by Stephen Murray
An engaging portrait of a young southern boy from the country discovering a wider world
The Omerta's Supposed to Prevent This Junk! by Laurie Edwards
If you're going to be a turncoat, at least be a talented, intelligent one.
Twilight Zone Family by David Abrams
Though the conclusion is fuzzy when it should be focused, there's still a lot to admire in Deborah Schupack's debut novel about the hazards of parenting.
The Arrogance of Americans: A 19th-century Cautionary Tale by Stephen Murray
A stunningly illustrated Native American military victory from the Native American perspective
Brave New World or Utopian Hell? by Jerry Cantu
A classic look at Utopia that asks the question that most of us do nowadays...Is that where we really want to be?
Compound Fracture by David Abrams
Judy Blunt may not have led the most remarkable life, but in her hands the Montana ranching culture comes vividly to life.
Breath of Fire Dragon Quarter: The Official Strategy Guide by Mike Bracken
If you're planning on tackling the latest Breath of Fire game, you'll want to grab this indispensible guide as well.
Snakes in the Garden by Shannon W. Hennessy
The final installment on what are, word for word, a set of some of the most intelligently written, quality supplements ever offered up for a role-playing game.
Bridget Jones Diatribe by Rachel Gordon
Rarely is a movie better than the source material whence it came, but this is an example of a not-good book becoming a fine film.
Worth Every Bit of the Brain Cells You'll Need to Understand It by Laurie Edwards
If you're at least somewhat familiar with the subject, Bright Earth is a wonder, a gem. If you're not, it's still an important book—you'll still love it, but you'll have to work for your pleasure.
Break Into Song by Laurie Edwards
Whether it's Les Miz, Shenandoah, or Showboat, Broadway Babies Say Goodnight has nice tidbits and solid critique.
Maitland McDonagh's Broken Mirrors/Broken Minds: The Dark Dreams of Dario Argento by Mike Bracken
If you’re interested in Argento, Italian horror, or cinema criticism, then Broken Mirrors/Broken Minds is worth tracking down.
Nuclear wunderkinds at work and play by Laurie Edwards
I could've wished for a more concise, less minutae-driven account, but Gregg Herkin is to be commended for taking on so difficult a project, and he's told a story that needed telling.
"Brown Skin" Shines Radiantly by Aly Walansky
Entertaining and informative, Brown Skin is a long-overdue perfect addition to the library of women...of any color.
Injustice Collecting by Stephen Murray
"What I desire and what I end up with are two vastly different things." Ripe and raw, schoolbusses and dingoes.
Beautifully Written but Unintrospective Memoir by Stephen Murray
Often fascinating and always well-written vignettes do not add up to an autobiography.
Covering the 1919 World Series Fix by John Nesbit
Are you a total baseball geek that wants to know EVERYTHING there is to know about the Black Sox? You'll love Gene Carney's dry, academic tome then.
The Psychic Next Door by Kim Lumpkin
Dougall Fraser is definitely not your typical psychic. Finally confident and comfortable with his abilities after years of agonizing, he seeks to help people avoid the frauds and scams that permeate his business (Miss Cleo, anyone?). He's sort of the Penn and Teller of psychics.
Under the Boardwalk by Laurie Edwards
Funnell knows the history of the Queen of Resorts and writes it with the sadness of a man whose lover has died.
A Day in the Life by Laurie Edwards
Sisters profiled have been Living Rules, activist sisters, and the ones who've forsaken their Heavenly Bridegroom for an earthly one.
Candy Porn by David Abrams
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll salivate. Part food memoir, part social history, this is easily the most satisfying book of the year.
Of Frogs And Prostitutes by Jerry Cantu
Steinbeck's novels still sell for a good reason. In this one, he writes about the poor living life in full. A mixture of astounding scenery, and highly memorable characters, Cannery Row is a book that belongs in everyone's library.
Cutting Your Own Throat Would Be Better Than This by Laurie Edwards
Captain Cut-Throat is a cheap knock-off of The Scarlett Pimpernel.
Lemony Snicket's The Carnivorous Carnival: Better Than Paper Cuts by David Abrams
The world is a horrible place full of peril, death and despair. The sooner kids get that through their thick skulls, the better. Lemony Snicket is there to light the way with his gospels of gloom.
Chilling Tale of Male Competition by Stephen Murray
Americans can tolerate unhappy endings, but are averse to the view that disaster is inevitable for “marked” men.
Dumbing Down a Legend by Laurie Edwards
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is the source for this novel. Not contemporary accounts, not even legal documents—a movie.
Become the Best Vampire Killer You can Be! Castlevania: Lament of Innocence Official Strategy Guide by Mike Bracken
Stuck in the game? This book can help.
A Colorful Journey With A Friendly Feline by Heather Marie Harris
A charming feline tale introduces colors and their relation to various things in a youngster's environment.
Harrowing journeys transformed into a great book by Stephen Murray
It is hard to imagine a reader who would not learn from the book. . . and I would not want to meet anyone who is not moved by its emotional force.
Cavedweller by Laurie Edwards
There's slow rural atmosphere in every page, but there're exciting things happening constantly; you'll never be bored with this one.
Top-Of-the-Line Instructional Manual by Laurie Edwards
Larson and Larson, experienced outdoors and underground people, offer a detailed explanation of any caving question you have.
Cerebus, the grey-haired Aardvark! by Chris Madsen
Cerebus the Aardvark...one of the best titles. Terrific storylines, deep philosophical ties, frank discussions of religion, wars, women, and more will thoroughly entertain you as you read through Cerebus' escapades.
Cerebus, The Aardvarkian Wonder! by Chris Madsen
Here's your recipe for an Aardvark: A splash of Conan, a dash of Elric, a swig of Marvel, and a pinch of James Bond. Stir—do not shake—and serve.
Fast & Easy Way to Learn CGI by Beth Allen
If you already have a little knowledge of the Web, add a bit more to your resume with CGI—Fast & Easy Web Development!
Exclusive! Author Separates Siamese Twins! It’s a Miracle! by David Abrams
In this superb novel, Darin Strauss (The Real McCoy) brings the original Siamese twins to vivid life. Ever wonder how they walked around encumbered by that seven-inch fleshy umbilical between them? Or, more importantly, how one twin had sex while the other "didn't watch"? Read on, gentle reader, read on...
Comprehensive account of Native American berdache role by Stephen Murray
The biographies of individual berdaches Roscoe includes show that some berdache were highly respected individuals within their society.
Chaos Legion: BradyGames' Official Strategy Guide by Mike Bracken
While the game may not be much fun, the strategy guide makes getting to the end relatively painless.
The Tramp Talks by John Nesbit
Insightful autobiography of the controversial dominant director/actor of the Silent Era.
Drug-laden memoir of adolescence by Andrew Hicks
Some of Mary Karr's best episodes, she's not afraid to admit, occurred while under the influence of this, that or the other, and a couple of them have a wickedly cool youth-fiction-meets-Hunter S. Thompson feel to them. It's hard not to burst into a wide grin as Karr trips out and sees the apparition of her high-school geometry teacher
Mesmerizing History of Maryland by Laurie Edwards
That which makes a difficult person often makes a fine author, and the obsessive care taken to explore a tale is the hallmark of Michener's novels.
A derivative but lively biography by Stephen Murray
"In contemporary American culture where the writer becomes ever more marginal, it's important to recall just how marginal a writer like Himes—a black ex-convict writing novels on themes and in manners no one seemed prepared to confront—was. Himes stood apart from America's bounty long before he departed from America itself."
Compact, Lyrical, Perfect by David Abrams
Alice McDermott has written one of the simplest, most lyrical novels of the year. But in her simplicity, she shatters our hearts with love and grief.
For Happy Children and Peaceful Bedtimes.... by Laurie Edwards
A Child's Garden of Verses is the very best of children's literature.
Takes One to Know One by Kim Lumpkin
It is fitting that David Sedaris has compiled some of the stories that he feels deserve attention, for while he describes himself as “a comparative midget” in relation to the authors of these stores, he is a master of short, memorable pieces himself (hence the title of this review).
A Sleeping Giant by Laurie Edwards
China Wakes tries hard for a balance between hatred of the Communist government and adoration of the Common Man.
A New Christmas Classic by a Man of Faith by Laurie Edwards
Jimmy Carter has become one of the most respected and admired of our former presidents. The heart behind Christmas in Plains is why.
Peace and Education in Appalachia by Laurie Edwards
The sense of serenity in Christy makes you feel good all over for having read it.
Dylan's Self Portrait by John Nesbit
Filled with metaphor, Dylan chronicles his early days in New York City and explores the creative process itself in depth.
The Latest in an Engaging Series by Kim Lumpkin
As a former district attorney, Burke gives both the dialogue and the events a sense of realism and urgency, and makes Sam a character who is easy to relate to, especially for those who struggle with difficult decisions and split loyalties.
The First African-American Novel by Laurie Edwards
You just know some characters are going to be tragic from the first page. Clotel is such a character.
When the Enemy Tried to Kill Us With Balloon Bombs by David Abrams
Liam Callanan marries historical fact with lyrical prose in this unforgettable wartime saga of love, faith and balloon bombs.
Baseball's Meanest Man by John Nesbit
Heminway recognized Ty Cobb as a great player and "an absolute shit." Stump expounds on this basic concept in full detail in a very readable biography.
Ghosts of Hollyweird by David Abrams
Contrary to that Bo Derek movie, ghosts can do it. Coldheart Canyon is a spicy novel, with just a hint of curdled aftertaste.
American writer patrons in the interzone of postwar Tangier by Stephen Murray
The American writers sought a space where they could live and write comfortably, and another kind of freedom at the margins of Europe and Africa: enjoying relatively easy access to sex with exoticized/eroticized young and masculine Morrocan males.
A Thoughtful View of LA punk by Laurie Edwards
Coloring Outside the Lines ain't a classic, certainly, but it's excellent for what it is (a deeply personal memoir of a cultural movement), and I recommend it.
Better Dead Than in This Coma by Laurie Edwards
Coma wants to terrify you. Back in '77, it probably could have; now it seems like a rerun of too many stories just like it.
Grand Delusion by Dan Callahan
Dawn Powell's Come Back to Sorrento faces some bitter truths.
A Modern Look at Meditation by Kim Lumpkin
Kabat-Zinn sees meditation as one of the best ways to combat our tendency to be dissatisfied with our present lives because we are always either longing for the past or waiting for some better future.
Accomplished, Brilliant, and Unstuffy by Nita Daniel
Collected Poems is a slender life's work of poetry for both literature lovers and book browsers. Bishop showcases all of the wit, structure, and emotion that make the best of poetry— only without stuffiness, over academic feeling, or cloying confessionalism.
The brief rise and complete suppression of independent women in Hollywood movies by Stephen Murray
As good as is his sympathetic analysis of the pre-Code women-centered films made between 1919 and mid-1934, LaSalle's account of the imposition of censorship may be even better.
Medical Ups and Downs by Laurie Edwards
Dr. Gawande is serious, humorous, and compassionate. Complications is funny, frightening, and an enjoyable read.
The Future Of American Fiction by Chris Sweet
Conjunctions compiles the best writers of today into one large volume at a low cost.
Schlepping Along Weirdly by Laurie Edwards
A novel in which the most important characters are a suicidal anger fiend and a Jewish myth should be fascinating, but Consent just doesn't ever shift into high gear.
Americans in Mexico by Stephen Murray
Harriet Doerr's ear for different ways of speaking was as keen as her eye for telling detail of landscape, architecture, or raiment.
Murder Mystery and Comic Opera by Stephen Murray
If you want some skillful farce with your gang violence....
Haute Couture at Home by Laurie Edwards
I not only recommend Couture: The Art of Fine Sewing, I urge you to collect all of Roberta Carr's books on needlework.
The (Re)Cycle of Life by Kim Lumpkin
William McDonough and Michael Braungart offer a surprisingly accessible book which proposes nothing less than changing the world’s entire manufacturing system.
Not Crazy, Just Weird by Laurie Edwards
There are books of clichés, books giving new authors insight into which old storylines not to use. Chris Gilson didn't read them.
Charles Dickens Would Beam, Queen Victoria Would Blush by David Abrams
Imagine Charles Dickens writing pornography. Imagine Queen Victoria opening those semen-stained pages, then fainting away in a dead heap. Now imagine you're holding a copy of The Crimson Petal and the White. Exactly.
All Bark, No Bite by Laurie Edwards
bite, rabies, maul, die....bite, rabies, maul, die...bite, rabies, maul, die...
The Offbeat Side of Contemporary Fiction by Chris Sweet
A credible, well-written guide to offbeat and cult-worthy authors
Yearning For Contact by Stephen Murray
Michael is convinced that his family does not understand him. He thinks this is because his parents are Chinese, not realizing that white parents don't understand their teenagers either.
The Folly of Modern Warfare by Kim Lumpkin
Krassel's approach in this book is to go through the major wars of our generation, from the Vietnam and Korean wars to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, each of which he cites as a tremendous waste of American resources and lives (this is not, however, all about bashing America; there is plenty of blame to go around the world).
Portraits of Valor by Daniel Briney
A highly personalized tribute to the thousands of ordinary men who were made heroes by extraordinary events.
D. W. Griffith 101 by John Nesbit
Readable outline of American film directing genius D. W. Griffith.
Tales of broken connections from the wilds of New Zealand by Stephen Murray
The stories excel in showing the frustrations of gay men (and boys feeling homoerotic urges) in isolated, homophobic rural New Zealand.
Have We Gone Too Far To Make Our Schools Safe? by Kim Lumpkin
“We are a nation of violence junkies.”
Blood on Crusade in an Uneven "History" by Laurie Edwards
I regret advising people to miss out on those last excellent thirty-five or forty pages, but I can't recommend a book whose first 230 pages are either boring as hell or incomprehensible to someone who's never read the earlier White Wolf vampire books.
The Vampires Stage an Impressive Comeback by Laurie Edwards
After Assamite, I didn't want to read Cappadocian. I'm very happy I did; this vampire novel kicks serious ass!
The Egyptian's Story by Laurie Edwards
Ryan's well-developed sense of mood offers a feeling of rightness to both her narrative and dialogue. Instead of making one or the other do the job of developing suspense and character, she skillfully intertwines the two to create a layered story in which all the elements interact successfully with the others.
Dark Designs and Oddball Artwork by Dave Edwards
A new generation of Transformers proves to be more dangerous than anything the Autobots and Decepticons have encountered before!
A Book You Can Sink Your Teeth Into by Laurie Edwards
If you ever dreamed of Barnabas' teeth in your neck, find The Dark Shadows Episode Guide and fall into the fantasies.
Heart of Darkness revealed... by Chris Madsen
I instantly thought "BLADE!" because it's about a character who happens to be both vampire and vampire hunter...but that's where the similarities end.
Out of the Light, Into the Darkness... by Chris Madsen
Are you afraid of the Darkness? Perhaps you will be, after reading this comic!
Darwin's Evolution by John Nesbit
If you're in the vicintiy of the Darwin exhibit, check it out to see remarkable archive material. This book serves as suitable memorabilia from the exhibit or can substitute for the experience.
The Minefield of Motherhood by David Abrams
Ayelet Waldman jumps off the Mommy Track and delivers her first "serious" literary novel. Her risk was well worth it.
Goddesses in style. by Chris Madsen
When Mary meets Aurora..The Goddess to whom Mary has been praying in Central Park comes after a friend gives up her life in return for understanding and power. Aurora the Goddess shows Mary the miracle of life that she has already created; truths are made clear, and the Goddess shows the readers the different mythos that pervade Her plane of existence. Is it one we would believe in... ?
A Fallible Explorer of Venetian Murk by Stephen Murray
Aurelio Zen is a rationalist in a deeply irrational world.
Sex, Drugs and Strollers by David Abrams
Ayelet Waldman is right on track with her latest Mommy-Track mystery—a sort of CHINATOWN with morning sickness.
Slade is Back: Death's Door by Mike Bracken
If you've loved the earlier Michael Slade books, you'll like this one too.
Bioluminescent what? by Laurie Edwards
Imagine a roller coaster car that goes up and up and up—and then only glides a few feet down before beginning yet another unrewarded climb. This whole process (or lack of it) is wearying and finally irritating.
Little Inspiration, Heavy on the Fluff and Filler by Heather Marie Harris
Better used as a drink coaster, this collection of decorating ideas is poorly organized and uninspiring.
Gwenydd for a Younger Audience by Laurie Edwards
Lighter than the Camber of Culdi series, the Deryni novels are a quick, fun read.
Private Lives? by Dan Callahan
Margot Peters uncovers the design for living of Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne.
A Good Bet for Fun Summer Reading by Laurie Edwards
Brian Rouff's Dice Angel is the latest example I've gotten of a writer whose faith in his work is completely justified.
A Deceptively Complex Novel of Post-Apartheid South Africa by Chris Sweet
Coetzee is a masterful writer, but better yet is the way he handles his plot structure, compressing depth into so few pages.
Unleash the Hounds of Grief by David Abrams
Carolyn Parkhurst's "Lovely Bones"-y novel sometimes unevenly veers from sappy to sensational, but it ultimately leaves a satisfying lump in the reader's throat.
Dog Rampages Mousopolis, News at Eleven by Heather Marie Harris
A clever, amusing spoof on the classic Godzilla movie, starring mice and a beguiling little corgi named Leia.
Bad Books 101 by Jerry Cantu
This is the most dreadful joke book you'll come across in your lifetime.
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, Mom by Heather Marie Harris
A fairly quick and realistic read for new moms hoping to carve out a bit more time for themselves...don't sweat the small stuff.
Horton Hears a Hitler, or: The Cat in the Hat is a Racist by Laurie Edwards
This book isn't for children, not until they're old enough to discuss the ethnocentrism of both Seuss and American culture.
The Very Secret Sex Lives of All Kinds of Creatures by Laurie Edwards
There's no doubt whatsoever that Dr. Judson knows about the sex lives of every creature on Earth; the marvel is that she's able to make it a happy thing for us to know it too.
Too "Good" to be Good by Laurie Edwards
"A novel should give a picture of common life enlivened by humour and sweetened by pathos."
Here Kitty, Kitty... by Heather Marie Harris
Another endearing, colorful offering in Pilkey's Dragon Tales series.
Look Out, Ladies by Kim Lumpkin
As if finding the right guy wasn't complicated enough, there is a new (or maybe just unrecognized until now) type of man to avoid.
Both Jumpy and Static by Laurie Edwards
Much as I love good narrative, I have to recommend that you leave this one alone. Between the strange combination of jumpy and static characterizations, and stories that aren't what you signed up for in the first half, Drifting is too weird and weak to waste time with.
A Jolt of Java by David Abrams
The long-awaited debut collection of short fiction by ZZ Packer finally arrives on bookstore shelves. The wait was well worth it. These stories boil with rage and wit.
The Literary Sixth Sense by David Abrams
Old-fashioned storytelling delivered with a breathless, cinematic pace—this is literature that ranks with Dickens and Dreiser.
A Simple Masterpiece by Heather Marie Harris
A simple tale sure to appeal to the youngest reader.
Battles In the Sand, Spice For Everybody by Laurie Edwards
Dune is a work that raises science fiction, often dismissed as techno-garble, to true literature.
Disturbing the Repose of the Dead by Stephen Murray
Duplicity, is the kind of page-turner mystery novel that might have resulted from a collaboration between E. L. Doctorow, Stephen King, and Charles Bukowski.
His Personality Was Always His Strength by Laurie Edwards
The basic facts of his life are here, but the former president's mind and heart are complete enigmas.
Dragging Story, Spectacular Ending by Laurie Edwards
A collection of cliches topped off with a fabulous ending.
Jay Slater's Eaten Alive! Italian Cannibal and Zombie Movies by Mike Bracken
A thorough and informative look at two of Italy's most infamous cinematic subgenres. Essential reading for horror film buffs.
A Guide to Recognizing and Coping with Toxic Life Patterns by Kim Lumpkin
Nolen-Hoeksema points out that there are as many variations of toxic thinking as there are women who suffer from it.
A Heart-wrenching First Novel by Stephen Murray
Edinburgh is a jolting first novel about pederasty and its ugly affer-effects.
Photographer Edward Weston's Career by Stephen Murray
Many people who look at this book will skip the text to look at the superbly reproduced photographs. That would be a mistake, since the text is provocative, complementing the photos beautifully.
Effective HTML Learning by Beth Allen
Need to learn HTML quickly with little or no prior experience? Effective Web Design is the book for you.
Baseball's Gambling Era by John Nesbit
Expect more than usual interest in the 1919 Chicago White Sox team with the 2005 World Series victory of Chicago's storied franchise. Eliot Asinof's book is an essential starting point.
Cutting Through the Hype and Setting Parents and Children Free by Kim Lumpkin
“Play is Back,” declares the back cover of this highly reassuring and much needed book.
Justifiable Kicks to a Hero by Laurie Edwards
Carlo D'Este's biography of Eisenhower is utterly complete; I challenge anyone to find information about Ike that's not in here.
If You Already Know the Subject... by Laurie Edwards
Intelligent source/reference book for those already somewhat familiar with the subject of Regency England.
Who Needs the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? by Chris Madsen
Ah, Elektra...How you make my heart tremble. You could whisper to me dreams that far outpace the realities I've faced.
Revenge of the Pen, Not the Sword by Laurie Edwards
Nearly thirty years after his mother's murder, Nicholas Gage returned to Greece to begin searching for her killers.
A Rich Fantasy Graphic Novel! by Chris Madsen
Elfquest sounds like a romance/drama/fantasy comic book, doesn't it? It can be categorized as only that, but that simple description does Elfquest a disservice.
Out of the Ashes, a Forgotten Masterpiece by David Abrams
Like a slim jewel bound between two covers, Sandor Marai's "forgotten" book is priceless
An Italian male Emma Bovary by Stephen Murray
Like Emma Bovary, the anti-heroes of Svevo's novels dream and scheme more than they live, cannot be satisfied, cling to fantasies of great loves, and are incapable of clear analyses of their situations.
Richard Russo's Small-Town Blues by David Abrams
Russo deftly handles a large cast full of memorable characters and offers a nearly perfect novel.
Simply enchanting! by Chris Madsen
Need a book for a rainy day, where the drops beat against the windows? Or a book for a sunny day, where you can spend swing lazily in a hammock? This book can fit the bill on both counts, and you will enjoy the time gone by.
The Party Guy's Ranting by Laurie Edwards
Too bad McKibben didn't write his entire book about techno-oddities, instead of pushing his ill-considered and poorly defended moral views.
Jack Hunter's Eros in Hell: Sex, Blood, and Madness in Japanese Cinema by Mike Bracken
If you don't think the Japanese make the most twisted exploitation films on Earth, check out the films discussed in this book.
Italian and Gay in 1940s St. Paul by Stephen Murray
Brown's story shows that some of those with the stigma of a dishonorable discharge did go home again. He returned not only to St. Paul, but to living with his family, and he found another family of sorts—at a drab, working-class, downtown St. Paul tavern run by a German-American couple named Kirmser.
Born in Splendor, Born to Rule... by Shannon W. Hennessy
A triumph from cover to cover, The Dragon-Blooded is the best resource provided for Exalted and the Age of Sorrows to date, bar none.
Executive Orders by Laurie Edwards
This could be at least six fine books. Why did Clancy combine so many tales and not finish any of them?
Exit About Fifteen Pages before the Book Ends by Laurie Edwards
Try anything once? Or It's more fun to be like everyone else. After an excellent, moody story, Exit to Eden switches themes so fast you'll have whiplash.
Poppy Z. Brite's Exquisite Corpse by Mike Bracken
While not for the prudish or squeamish, Exquisite Corpse is another book sure to please Ms. Brite's growing legion of fans.
Costas Makes His Case for Baseball by John Nesbit
Fair Ball is a no-nonsense book that plainly presents a plan to bring Major League Baseball back to its senses.
I'll Start the Bidding at... Mediocre by Heather Marie Harris
Not Butler's best work, but Fair Warning is a readable short novel introducing readers to a refreshingly strong heroine.
Rape Isn't Sexy by Laurie Edwards
This is enough to make a maggot retch.
Blogging the 2004 Red Sox by John Nesbit
More known for their novels, Stephen King and Stewart O'Nan passionately chronicle the exploits of their beloved Boston Red Sox in 2004, with an unsurpassed ending!
Murder and Intrigue in the Art World by Kim Lumpkin
Like crime and jewelry, crime and fine art seem to go together. As long as there are great pieces of art that some people are willing to pay tens of millions of dollars for, there will always be people determined to steal them.
Police Latitude and Public Prejudice by Stephen Murray
Collectively, those arrested in 1901 remain so notorious that in Mexico "cuarenta y una" means "faggot," numbering in Mexico skips from 40 to 42, and men born 41 ago report their age as "30+11."
Misadventures in Jacksonian America (and elsewhere) by Stephen Murray
The narrative is not at all "bodice-ripping," but the forbidden passion is rejuvenating, and the only good memory Fanny Trollope takes away from an extended stay in White's own hometown of Cincinnati.
Scary, Exciting…or Both? by Kim Lumpkin
Based on the exponential rate at which advances in science, medicine, and technology are being made, inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil and Terry Grossman, M.D., fervently believe that many of us will live to see the day when our lives can be extended indefinitely.
Multivitamin Stories by David Abrams
William Boyd captures all the depth and breadth and variety of anguished human sexuality in these 14 stories.
Dark Side of the All-American Meal by John Nesbit
Reading this may turn you into a vegetarian, but don't let that scare you. NOT reading it could kill you!
"There are no second acts..." by Stephen Murray
One of the few boxing novels around, Fat City is a bleak slice of California Central Valley male life.
Mustard with mutton, sign of a glutton by Dan Callahan
Nigella Lawson makes foodies of us all.
Feast of the Mind and Senses by Laurie Edwards
If you're tired of the neverending Vampire series and ready to give up on Anne Rice, read Feast of All Saints, her finest book.
Reynolds Price hones his skills for NPR by Chris Sweet
Some good insight and some fluff. Price's Feasting The Heart is a mixed bag.
Kitten-Smitten Women by David Abrams
Written for Women Who Love Their Cats and the Men Who Try to Understand Them, Simon's meditation on cats and feminism is a quick, engaging read.
Feminism Derailed and Detailed by Rachel Gordon
Shrewdly pinpointing internalized prejudice, Levy's theories present a strong argument about how little women have advanced since the sexual revolution.
Loving One's Fellow Man: It's Not Just a Job, it's an Adventure by Kim Lumpkin
It seems like a premise for a hopelessly hokey movie…a man sets out to prove that humans are basically good. He does so by exploring various manifestations of compassion and kindness
How to Check Out Right by Laurie Edwards
If you want to die, an understanding of Final Exit makes you likely to do it right and not fuck it up.
The Adventure of the Rejuvenated Sherlock Holmes by David Abrams
Not merely "a story of detection," Chabon's mini-masterpiece is an intricate, pensive commentary on how we can triumph over the evil in men's (and Nazis') hearts.
A Clever Tapestry of Science and Religion by Tony Pellum
Miller suggests that true knowledge of our world—and indeed true knowledge of God—are found, just as Henry Drummond depicts in the final scene of Inherit The Wind, with a Bible in one hand, and Origin of Species in the other.
Memories a Tad Too Sweet by Laurie Edwards
Are you content to laugh and cry at the memories that'll surface as you read, or do you require something a bit deeper, a tad more than the immediate emotional response? If you need more, you're in trouble.
Camus' Unfinished Perfection by Rachel Gordon
First Man is Camus' unfinished last manuscript seeing the light of day.
Paris and its un[der]acknowledged minorities by Stephen Murray
Is it, perhaps, painfully American to focus on minorities?
The Enduring Thrill of Flannery O'Connor by David Abrams
This collection of essays about one of our greatest writers is less a birthday party than it is a funeral eulogy. Yet, not a dirge, but more like one of those New Orleans processions where the weeping and wailing breaks into the Dixieland blare of trumpets and there is dancing—yes, always dancing.
Pallid flesh and anemic blood in gangling suburban soap opera by Stephen Murray
Cunningham's greatest gift is for lyric description, and he writes exquisite sentences.
Paint-Smeared Sex With Daddy's Little Girl by David Abrams
M.J. Rose expertly describes modern art, gallery politics and sexual awakening. She's less assured in the courtroom scenes, but, thankfully, the "mystery" is secondary to the romance at the heart of the book.
An impressive debut collection of stories by Stephen Murray
We all know what the road to hell is paved with...
A Sneaky Imagination in a Commonplace Plot by Laurie Edwards
Flint Hills Bride is a standard-issue Harlequin romance, but Cassandra Austin shows there's an oddball sense of humor and some real imagination going on here.
Outrageous (in several senses) tragicomic novel by Stephen Murray
The two main narrators in Flipping are not afraid to reveal attitudes that would be instantly condemned by the keepers of political correctness.
Poor Guy Is Dumb as a Rock! by Laurie Edwards
Flowers for Algernon is the greatest tearjerker published in the '60s.
Comic, ultimately poignant tale of Americans abroad by Stephen Murray
Foreign Affairs provides the pleasures of incisive observation of conflicting assumptions (intracultural as well as cross-cultural ones), elegant, pointed prose, and creative plotting.
The Neverending Story by David Abrams
Pete Hamill set out to write the Great New York Novel, one that would capture the entire panorama of the city's history in ways both remarkable and majestic. Unfortunately, this is not that novel.
Immortality Wasted by Rachel Gordon
A good idea gone dry, Pete Hamill's exhausting new book focuses on New York for the past 250 years through a character who doesn't know how to appreciate life.
How not to do social history of identity formation and mobliization by Stephen Murray
Good sociology cannot be made out of bad history.
Multeity In Unity by Tony Pellum
While the Romantics expressed a clear elevation of the individual, Mary Shelley realized the pain of isolation. Frankenstein explores both realms of individual and society that are equally important to human life. The character of Frankenstein represents the artist in the truest sense.
Little Fish Save Big Whale by Laurie Edwards
Freddie Fish: A Whale of a Tale! has a real problem to solve, in words and situations a little kid can read for him/herself.
Driving the Highway to Hell Without Headlights by David Abrams
Somebody forgot to take his happy pills! King's newest novel is full of gloom, despair and agony.
Love and Cigarettes by Laurie Edwards
Forget the dreadful Scarlett, Ripley's attempt to continue Margaret Mitchell's classic Gone With the Wind. This book proves that when it's her own story, Ripley can write a rousing historical novel filled with interesting characters.
A charming travel companion by Stephen Murray
Bemused recollection of difficulties which were acutely frustrating when encountered is the staple of travel writing, particularly in the British tradition.
Romeos, Juliets, and Mercutios in Erupting Sri Lanka by Stephen Murray
Selvadurai's first novel brilliantly juxtaposes a difficult coming of age and the horrors of erupting ethnic violence in his native Sri Lanka.
A Thought-Provoking (and Entertaining) Character Study by Kim Lumpkin
I had heard of Salman Rushdie as “the writer with a price on his head,” but I had never read any of his work. Fury is both more interesting and less substantial than Rushdie's rep would predict.
Iron Man? Hulk? Wait a minute... by Chris Madsen
Look! Up in the sky! It's Iron Man! No, it's The Iron Giant! No, wait, it's Fuji! Wrong again...It's... Mark in a robot suit?
Bonds, BALCO, and Steroids by John Nesbit
Barry Bonds attempted a lawsuit to prevent this book from reaching the bookshelves. Once you read this, you'll understand why!
When Reading Aloud Just Isn't Enough by Kim Lumpkin
Games With Books has a terrific premise: using a child’s favorite book (or books) as the basis for other activities that will not only keep a child’s interest in the book alive, but can also teach skills such as writing and calculation. Some activities even help improve a child’s hand/eye coordination.
The Body in the Brook by David Abrams
Those who devote themselves to at least 40 pages will find themselves immersed in the novel's world, transported back to 1925 New Hampshire.
A naked breakfast, lunch, and dinner by Stephen Murray
The taboo (broken by this book) against proclaiming the eroticization of racial domination is one of which I approve.
Jay Mohr was on SNL?! by Andrew Hicks
I can think of at least twenty cast members and writers who would be more qualified to write an SNL memoir - people who spent more time and made more of an impact on the show during better points in its history. Not to mention, people whose personal collection of gossip stories would have actually been entertaining.
I Cannot Tell a Lie--This is Good Kids' History! by Laurie Edwards
Mr. and Mrs. Hoobler have written the life of Washington in such a manner as to both please and challenge young children.
Work Hard and Be Fascinated by Nita Daniel
Read this biography out of the order in which its written in order to gather the ammunition to stick with it and get the payoff of unerstanding the life of this fascinating great-great-great-great-aunt to Diana, Princess of Wales.
Rediscovering Captain Kirk by John Nesbit
Do you like William Shatner? If you answered yes, You! MUST! GET! THIS! BOOK!
It Realy Is Everything You Need to Know by Laurie Edwards
This is one time you can believe someone who says she has everything you need to know. Getting into the college of your choice has become a dogfight, and Cohen shows you with smarts and class how to come out on top in the battle.
The Greatest American Success Story Never Told by Kim Lumpkin
Rehak goes “behind the scenes” to unravel the complex world of Stratemeyer's syndicate and reveal the men and women who really created the stories so many of us devoured as kids and, more importantly, to explore the phenomenon of Nancy Drew
Are You My Mother? by David Abrams
Caroline Leavitt writes compellingly about ordinary people caught in a snarl of emotions during the adoption process.
Upbeat but Flawed Look at Girls by Laurie Edwards
The overriding premise is utterly unacceptable, but with that caveat, Girls Will Be Girls has some excellent information.
Glamorous Terror by Mike Bracken
Bret Easton Ellis pens another classic.
Keeping a Grand Tradition Alive by Kim Lumpkin
With the wild imagination of Coleridge and the love of detail of Keats, he gives modern themes a timeless feel, and his use of language is refined, even when he is writing about raunchy sex.
James Baldwin's Great American Novel by Bobby Lashley
Go Tell It On The Mountain is a symphony of the post great migration black family, their interior lives, interconnection with their southern past and ability to survive through tremendous pain.
Poetically Ferocious: Boston Teran's God is a Bullet by Mike Bracken
An amazing debut novel.
The Dangers of Unlimited Religious Freedom by Kim Lumpkin
As a specialist in Constitutional law and church/state relations, Marci A. Hamilton has seen and read about her share of cases in which religious entities have claimed exemption from many of our laws, and she finds the tendency of courts to rule in favor of these organizations to be a disturbing trend.
Guns of Serbia by Laurie Edwards
If you're a combat veteran, give this one a shot, but if you're a civilian, skip it.
Adam Rockoff's Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film, 1978-1986 by Mike Bracken
While not quite the definitive overview of the slasher film I'd hoped for, Going to Pieces is still a well-written and insightful examination of one cinema's most maligned subgenres.
The Epic American Novel by Laurie Edwards
I love this book, I really do, and I read it every year.
That One Special Teacher by Jerry Cantu
A gentle tear-jerker that does its quiet best to make you appreciate that one great teacher you had.
Redemption for Judas Iscariot by John Nesbit
Translated from the original Coptic on crumbling papyrus, this ranks as the most important archaelogical discovery of the past half century!
Cotton Candy High by Laurie Edwards
I'm surprised Ms. Steele chose to hit this subject again, after she did so well with it in Goya, by far the better book.
So you've super sized yourself – now what? by Kim Lumpkin
Alex Jamieson's book goes way beyond dietary advice and is actually a challenge to our modern addiction to convenience at the expense of our health, and the health of our children.
Turning Shit Into Gold by Jerry Cantu
For those who have been punished with Beowulf, there is a reward. Take a look into the story through Grendel's eyes. Grendel is a vast imrovement over Beowulf and gives life to those zombie characters that Beowulf has to offer.
Have a Little Cheese with that Whine? by Laurie Edwards
Waaaahh! I say, "Waaaahhh," brothers and sisters!
Why It's Happening – And What Parents Can Do About It by Kim Lumpkin
Any parent of a middle schooler already knows what a turbulent time in their child's life early adolescence can be. They don't have to be told that their kids are faced with more adult images and issues than ever before.
Start of a new comic book reign... by Chris Madsen
A totally different feel of comic than the usual superhero stuff—Jim Mahfood's artwork really brings out the GRRL in GRRL Scouts!
Getcha Grub On: America's Wake-Up Call by Aly Walansky
The ever-expanding girtth of America is no laughing matter. Finally, it's becoming hip to be healthy, and Grub: Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen offers resources that make the transition easy and delicious.
Swift Tales of Folly by Jerry Cantu
Long mislabeled a children's story, Gulliver's Travels is a challenging novel that should only be attempted by advanced readers. Very few books exploit the follies of the human race with the brilliance and sarcasm that Swift offers. You may have seen the cartoon; now see the Swift's true message.
Lost in the Future by Marty Brown
Lethem's first novel comes off as an enjoyable but insubstantial genré piece.
The Guns of '64 by Daniel Briney
An alternate-history tale of the Second American Revolution. What sort of nation shall the Confederacy be?
Greek Mythology rewritten! by Chris Madsen
The Trojan War, the fall of Theseus, and the curse of the Mistress of the Labyrinth all serve as the setting for this fantastical tale of love, hate, revenge, and desire for peace that may never be found.
Michael Slade's Hangman by Mike Bracken
While the gore has been toned down a bit, and the mood is a little lighter than usual, Hangman is still worth a look horror fans.
A whole lot goin' on uptown during the roaring '20s by Stephen Murray
The "New Negro" found a white audience seeking sensation uptown during Prohibition.
Another Great Harry Potter Story! by Laurie Edwards
It's a kids' magic novel, for goodness' sake! Except it really isn't, you know; this is real, right?
Harry's Growing Up! Let the True Battle Commence! by Laurie Edwards
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is something few other children's books today can claim—great forever literature.
A Holding Pattern by Laurie Edwards
While there's a great deal of minor dissension and some excitement, there's nothing grand about the confrontations, no real enemy (whom we see much of) to fight. I hope Rowling is setting the stage for something truly outrageous next time
Harry Potter Part Three: Getting Better All the Time by Laurie Edwards
As Harry, Hermoine, Ron, and Draco grow and change, so do Rowling's stories; as her readers mature, the characters do too.
Venus and Mars by Laurie Edwards
Men use love to get sex, and women use sex to get love—it's an oft-used cliché, and if Yolanda Joe is to be believed, a cliché based on an eternal truth: Mars and Venus are a zillion miles apart, and never shall the twain meet.
Scary stories of an increasingly insane but sometimes lucid and frequently bitingly funny writer by Stephen Murray
A flabby, wig-wearing, middle-aged man already at age seven, Chester was also extremely prickly.
A life in too interesting times by Stephen Murray
Both as a memorial to the democracy that was delayed for a generation in Chile, and as an account of how a major writer became the bilingual hybrid he is by rejecting first one and then the other of his linguistic selves, this is a fascinating book.
No Heart at All by Laurie Edwards
Is that IT? Where's the ending?! Screw that—where's the damned story?!
Stephen King Gets Himself Back to the Garden by Kim Lumpkin
With his blend of humor, horror, and suspense, Hearts in Atlantis is the King book for those who never liked his earlier work.
Helping Kids Understand Differences by Laurie Edwards
The question of gay rights or whether gay life is morally correct is never discussed. It simply is in this book.
The War Without, The War Within by Kim Lumpkin
This is almost two completely different stories in one; the first is a fairly standard tale of a man coming to terms with his depression and the second about a man who discovers courage, compassion, and a sense of purpose within himself by spending time as a free-lance reporter in the midst of the war in Sarajevo.
Spawn of Hell- A spinoff of Todd's Masterpiece is masterful on its own! by Chris Madsen
Hellspawn lives...Would you enjoy the experience of hell on earth?
A Python Gets Literary by Kim Lumpkin
Hemingway's Chair's greatest charm is in its detailed, lifelike descriptions of both major and minor characters.
An Epic of Hits and Misses by Rachel Gordon
By developing a novel that reaches over a century's worth of experience, author Ronald Wright may have bitten off more than he can chew.
A Visual Guide by Heather Marie Harris
Bremness' expertise lends itself to a direct and informative resource for the beginner and the experienced herbalist alike.
In the Blurred Perimeter Between Man and Nature by David Abrams
Ten short stories from a master of nature writing—human nature and Mother Nature. Read these gems aloud and you'll find your breath catching in your throat.
Hopeful Ladies of the Confederacy by Laurie Edwards
To see the Civil War through the eyes of the women left at home is to see a very different War, one with new champions and victims.
Herzog at 40: Saul Bellow's last great work by Bobby Lashley
I thought of these two Bellows when I read Herzog, his last great novel. It is a stylistic tour de force brimming with Joycean riffs and brilliant intensity.
Civil War Love with a Twist by Laurie Edwards
Off her usual subject, Rita Mae Brown writes a helluva good novel!
A Guided Tour Through the Mine Field of Modern Fakery by Kim Lumpkin
The title comes from a story that spread around the world about a circus dwarf who bounced off a trampoline right into the mouth of a hippo that was also part of the show.
Hitler's Pope is Cornwell's Crap by Laurie Edwards
Hitler's Pope is a fascinating read, and would be more so if any of Cornwall's allegations could be proven.
I Still Wish Thorin Hadn't Died! by Laurie Edwards
Few stories are as well-written, as wide-ranging, and as just plain fun as The Hobbit.
Keystone Kriminal by Laurie Edwards
Gantos tells a cautionary tale without moralizing and uses his well-developed sense of irony to make his life seem amusing, though it undoubtedly wasn't as it was being lived.
Harry Lives! by John Nesbit
It might be...it could be ...it IS ...a fun biography about the greatest baseball fan and most fun baseball announcer ever!
Two Become an Uneasy One by Laurie Edwards
Overlook the unrealistic basis for the story and enjoy the people; they're worth a little suspension of disbelief.
Regulating Homosexuality in Russia by Stephen Murray
Healey's book is a major contribution to cultural history in general, and social control of homosexuality in particular.
How to Blow the Presidency by David Abrams
For a wacked-out, joy-buzzer, cocaine-addled literary thrill ride, read Tim Sandlin's cockeyed satire of Presidential sex Save Hillary's memoirs for the sober moments.
Great Action Overwhelms the Flaws by Laurie Edwards
Complaints about character and dialogue pale beside the sheer pulse-racing excitement.
The Best of the Series by Laurie Edwards
In this one, we're at the point at which Horatio Hornblower is most interesting, both personally and professionally.
To Fill in the Blanks by Laurie Edwards
This is that saddest of all volumes, the too-slim one that holds the last book of a favorite author, the one he died writing.
Sometimes an Award is Fully Justified by Stephen Murray
What Michael Cunningham wrote is as close to perfection as a novel—an irredemiably messy form—can be.
The Best Novel I've Read in a Very Long Time by Laurie Edwards
Andre Dubus III is an exceptional writer; his command of the language and of his imagination make this novel an absolute gotta-have-it-don't-miss-it experience in character and culture.
Buildings, Not Just Ideas About Buildings by Nita Daniel
Stewart Brand's How Buildings Learn shows why buildings that are crafted and not just designed are the ones destined to succeed in the long haul. It's a fascinating study that'll have you seeing the spaces you inhabit with new eyes.
Surviving Being Gay in a Southern High School by Stephen Murray
A collection of often hilarious and relentlessly upbeat stories of a gay high school student who refused the role of victim.
Saving Your Brain Child From Abortion by Jerry Cantu
Crucial information is offered to help fiction writers make the most of their writing, and getting their artwork in readers' hands. More important, it shows how to get the readers coming back for more.
Learning from a Bodhisattva by John Nesbit
The Dalai Lama shares wisdom with a practical guide for meditation and living with the proper perspective and compassion.
Worthwhile, though Spotty, Resource by Dave Edwards
Though it loses a bit if you've not read Card's other books, this is still a solid guide to creating your own sci-fi or fantasy world.
Being Jerry Colangelo by John Nesbit
Required reading for Arionza sports fans, others interested in the business side of sports or in building solid franchises will gain from picking Jerry Colangelo's brain.
World War II With a Twist by Rachel Gordon
A fictional story of the impact of WWII on British civilians.
I Gave I Gave Dating A Chance A Chance by Tony Pellum
Kierkegaard once wrote an entire book of prefaces, signifying the importance of basic reading, while Clark believes the same about dating. Here these concepts unite.
Remnants of War by Rachel Gordon
Carsten Jensen had the balls to travel through the depression of war torn communities, and his sharing of experience is as humbling as it is exhausting.
I Know This Much is (mostly) True by Laurie Edwards
The ending is too sudden and too cheery, given what's gone on throughout the book, but I Know This Much Is True is still an excellent story and worth spending time with.
A Veteran's Younger Days by Laurie Edwards
Miller hasn't changed a bit. He's still talented, sinewy, and a smartass.
A Smorgasbord of Fun! by Heather Marie Harris
An engaging read-aloud picture book—definitely worth a look for a bit of humor and creative ingenuity.
Charles Dickens Goes Hollywood by David Abrams
Big and bursting with flavor, filmmaker Bruce Wagner serves up a steaming feast of Dickensian proportions. God bless us everyone!
Dig for the Gems and Skim the Rest by Nita Daniel
I'm a Stranger Here Myself starts off pithy and strong, but devolves into the author's tendency to "bitch, bitch, bitch." Get it from a library before you spend your money.
Vivid Political and Sexual Canadian Intrigues by Stephen Murray
Gripping stories of politics and gay men in 20th-century Toronto.
Fellini and Cinema: an Intimate Portrait by John Nesbit
Does Fellini exploit or worship women? This and many more Fellini questions will be answered in this fascinating, intimate narrative.
Hilarity in the Margins by David Abrams
If you're one of those readers who "always skips footnotes," this book probably isn't for you since you'll have to skip the whole thing. But that would be your loss.
Robots Are Kid-Friendly! by Laurie Edwards
With lots to see and hear, new words to learn, and imagination galore, If I Had a Robot is top-flight kids' stuff.
Heralding a New Era of Womanhood by Kim Lumpkin
John Lennon once sang, “Woman is the nigger of the world,” decrying what he saw as their degrading and often subhuman treatment; if he were alive today, he would very likely be pleased to see that the changes in the lives of women in every corner of the globe cannot be overestimated. Imagining Ourselves, a culmination of responses from women around the world to the question “What defines your generation of women?,” examines these changes through lively, colorful images and equally spirited poetry, songs, and essays.
A Welcome Shift in Mid-Story by Laurie Edwards
In Full Bloom is an interesting novel about cultural oddities and the ever-present pressure a not-so-young woman feels to wed.
The Man Behind the Magic by Kim Lumpkin
He wouldn't stand in the shadows while his boys basked in the glory; he was an attention-getting figure in his own right, although he never quite managed to win either the spotlight or affection that he craved.
I Wonder Why She's So Sad... by Shannon W. Hennessy
Not since Michael Gira's The Consumer have I had the pleasure of reading verse that stirred the sorts of emotions I experienced while reading In My Mouth.
Big Skywriting by David Abrams
In his debut novel, Russell Rowland charts the lives, loves and losses of a Montana family. It's like a Western version of THE GODFATHER (though all the horses get to keep their heads here).
The Bill of Rights in Practical Matters by Laurie Edwards
Ackerman and Kennedy clearly care deeply about the Bill of Rights. These women are true believers, and they want you to believe too.
Heston Hits His Mark by John Nesbit
Heston in his own words. It even reads like him, so expect some simple stories, and he'll deliver the goods.
Pay No Attention to That Man Behind the Curtain! by Laurie Edwards
Why turn this self-impressed crap into a Literary Event? Believe me, once you've managed to make sense of it, there's not enough here to make it worth the effort it takes; this is just humbug on a truly capital scale.
Munching on the High Seas by Laurie Edwards
"I was aroused with the cry of a man at the hatchway. 'Here he is—he is making for us again!' I had never seen such...vengeance."
Wild Ride Across the 1920s Upper Midwest by Stephen Murray
Chad's insouciance makes the desperate adult endeavors around him all the funnier.
Trading on His Trade by Laurie Edwards
Even if you're rich and have a castle to decorate and keep up, there're no tips here you can't find elsewhere, so avoid this junk.
Don't Wanna Be Like Mike! by Laurie Edwards
The attempt to retain journalistic integrity is only slightly successful, but give Telander credit for trying when no one else did.
The anguish of an upwardly mobile minority member by Stephen Murray
Stories of the pressures on those acclaimed as being "credits to the race" pop up from different minority groups. Indian Lawyer is one of the most accomplished ones.
Sin and Secrets in the Heartland by Laurie Edwards
In the early 1900s, Pope's great-grandfather fooled around with his sister-in-law and was shot to death by her upset husband.
Journey into Hell by Chris Madsen
An excellent story with beautiful contemporary art—a pretty combination that's hard to beat.
Passion, prejudice, and play by Stephen Murray
"There once was a time when it seemed that time would just stretch into infinity, and that I could love someone so strongly, so powerfully, that the world would bend to my love, and nothing would ever hurt him, because I said so."
The Vampire Standard by Laurie Edwards
Ms. Rice's writing is exceptional, dark and claustrophobic, nervous and desperate. Read it. You have to read this book.
Pleasant and Intelligent Mystery by Laurie Edwards
This ain't Shakespeare, and it ain't Agatha Christie, but it's nicely written, fun, and a mystery solid enough so you'll never guess whodunit.
Rereading a modern(ist) American classic for Black History Month by Stephen Murray
"It's better to live out one's own absurdity than to die for that of others."
If You're Irish or Not - Give This a Shot by Rian Montgomery
A dazzling collection of sixteen short stories about life, love, friendship, relationships and hardship. All are written by female Irish authors.
Lighter Than Air by Laurie Edwards
Isabel's Bed is festive, easy reading, requiring only a little time and no thought to get through.
Thoughtful , Concise, Readable Islam by Stephen Murray
This is a work of considerable interpretive acuity and even greater concision.
IT's Fantastic by Laurie Edwards
"We all float down here!"
The Rise And Fall And Rise Of An American Hero by Chris Sweet
An insightful cultural biography of Bruce Springsteen and the times he has chronicled.
From the Big Apple to Green Acres by Kim Lumpkin
Though the Mullens move to the country home permanently, he doesn’t idealize the rural life or reject the urban one.
A Lighthearted Remedy for a Broken Heart by Kim Lumpkin
It seems odd that while we know laughter can get us through the most trying times, most advice books, even the best-written ones, are decidedly short on humor.
Lawrence McCallum's Italian Horror Films of the 1960s by Mike Bracken
An excellent primer for newcomers to the classic spaghetti horror flicks.
A perceptive—even sympathetic—portrait of a monster of a writer by Stephen Murray
The somewhat curious have a fine guide in O'Brien
The hemmed-in life of a writer with no room of her own by Stephen Murray
Jane Austen lived in a day when to be married was the only form of independence—and even then it was a very much restricted liberty.
Jane Eyre by Laurie Edwards
She's going to be happy! What more could a servant ask out of life? Well...She could ask to be the only wife of her husband.
Slanted but Fascinating History and Sociology by Laurie Edwards
Mei Nakano wants the style of being Japanese, without the substance of it.
The Big Wheezy by David Abrams
How do you turn a sexy, thrilling, bloody mystery set in 1908 New Orleans' red-light district into a congealed lump of dull, plodding storytelling? Fulmer shows us in 10 wheezy steps.
The Industry Standard JavaScript Reference by Beth Allen
Everything you ever wanted and didn't want to know about JavaScript!
What Would Jesus Do? by Laurie Edwards
I'm not well enough versed in theology to know whether Gruber's a heretic of some kind, simply misguided, or one of the few pure souls around. Take your pick. All I can do is judge the book on its literary merits, and on that basis alone, it's competent but nothing more.
Sex and Intrigue in the Old West by David Abrams
This ain't your grandaddy's Lewis and Clark!
Free Enterprise Gone Bats by Laurie Edwards
Jennifer Government is (and I never use this word) spellbinding and unquestionably the best novel I've read in a very long time.
More From the Man Who Started It All by Kim Lumpkin
Jesus very well may have survived the crucifixion, and his divinity was basically a creation of those who came after him who were eager to suppress the truth.
Cheaper Than Heroin and Twice as Potent by Marty Brown
Denis Johnson could be the pre-eminent author of his time (now), so why haven't you read any of his work yet?
Coming Of Age In The Depression by Chris Sweet
The first major release by a soon-to-be major American writer.
An Unforgettable Emotional Odyssey, Where You Might Least Expect It by Kim Lumpkin
Ware says more with a few lines in one frame than many writers say in many pages of prose.
The Shift is an Improvement by Laurie Edwards
It doesn't start out like much more than an empty romance, but Jimmy's Girl grows to be an outstanding novel of regret, comfortable love, and lovely memories.
Beaned By a Slash-and-Tear Bio by Laurie Edwards
This is a bloodletting.
John Adams Comes to Life by John Nesbit
David McCullough transforms dry John Adams into a real man—a Founding Father with remarkable bravery and integrity.
Legacy of Horror: An Interview with John Carpenter by Jeremiah Kipp
A book of interviews with legendary horror auteur John Carpenter covering his entire body of work, including Halloween, The Thing, Escape From New York. "Movies work best," he says, "when they are on the move."
John F. Kerry: the Real Deal by John Nesbit
Heavily researched and very readable, this objective view of John F. Kerry is one of the year's "must reads" if you're interested in finding out what Kerry is really like.
Colson Whitehead: A Star Is Born by Chris Sweet
Fiction doesn't get much better than this. It'll be fun to watch Whitehead's star ascend.
Teenage Revolution by Laurie Edwards
Johnny Tremain is a certain winner for boys; any red-blooded American lad will love this one.
Knowing and Loving America's Families by Laurie Edwards
Al and Tipper Gore don't push any personal agenda here; they just study families, accepting them for what they are today.
Drugs, Power, and the Fight for the Soul of Major League Baseball by John Nesbit
When Mark McGwire broke Roger Maris' home run record on Sept. 8, 1998, it marked a high mark in Major League Baseball. But now the question remains: how will baseball fans of the present and future now regard the decade following Baseball's 1994 strike?
The Summer of Their Discontent by David Abrams
With its stereotype characters and tired liberal politics, July, July is banal, banal.
When Did the Shark Scarf Your Favorite? by Laurie Edwards
Jump the Shark is amazingly playful and fun. You and your friends can spend many festive hours battling over the choices.
Jump, Frog, Jump! by Laurie Edwards
Jump, Frog, Jump! is wonderful children's reading!
Ask Not for Whom the Cookie Crumbles by Kim Lumpkin
In Junk, Christopher Largen takes on the entire war on drugs simply by turning it into a war on junk food, a prospect that does not seem quite as far-fetched as one might think considering recent lawsuits against fast food companies
Humorous Spoof of a Classic by Heather Marie Harris
A quirky spoof of the old classic movie, King Kong, sure to amuse young and old readers alike.
Mondo Mania: Kerekes and Slater's Killing for Culture by Mike Bracken
Killing for Culture is the definitive guide to mondo video. If you love transgressive cinema, then you must own this.
A Journey to the End of the Tour by Kim Lumpkin
In Killing Yourself to Live, a Spin article that evolved into a book, Klosterman attempts to narrow his scope to trying to figure out why death can raise the status of a rock musician to epic proportions.
A Friend in Need by Kim Lumpkin
The sexual abuse of children is a difficult topic to think about, let alone write about, but Kittle takes on the challenge with class and tact as she explores the effects a young boy's abuse at the hands of his parents has on a family still coping with the loss of the father.
Stale Box of Love by David Abrams
In this trio of novellas, "Revenge" is sweet, but the other two stories lack linguistic energy.
Kurtz Stumbles over Her Own Story by Laurie Edwards
King Kelson's Bride is only worthwhile so you know what's going on in the next book. Maybe that one will make sense.
Enjoyable Piety by Laurie Edwards
I have to recommend Fishers of Men; the scholarship is solid, the writing enjoyable.
Dan Birlew's Kingdom Hearts: Official Strategy Guide by Mike Bracken
Having a tough time with Square and Disney's Action RPG? Grab this guide.
The Tongue Man Cometh by Kevin Carlson
Old man using swinger lingo...old man gets lots of broads..old man ROCKS.
It's the HackMaster Knights! by Chris Madsen
Role-playing hi-jinks and so much more - a comic book that reaches new levels and packs a gutsplitting laughter punch! Hoody Hoo!
Tracing a Baseball Legend by John Nesbit
If you've ever chomped on a Dodger dog or even have a passing interest in baseball, put Jane Leavy's book on your required reading list. Sandy Koufax still avoids publicity, but Leavy doggedly tracks down enough people who know him to fashion a definitive biography.
Shallow Fun—Like the City It's Named For by Laurie Edwards
If you've ever gone clubbing in LA, you'll recognize the scene. Hopefully your life and friends aren't this superficial, though.
An Ultra-Vivid Jaunt Through the UK by John Dean Alfone
An Ultra-Vivid Jaunt Through the UK
Where Life's a Beach by Kim Lumpkin
It may be hard for the uninitiated to keep track of each of the Laguna Beach kids, but for those familiar with the cast this is bound to be an amusing glimpse into their world and lives before the cameras turned on them.
Lakota Noon. . . by Laurie Edwards
Michno begins in the preface by saying the Indian viewpoint must be seen as superior to the white man's—but he doesn't tell us why.
Yes, Style Still Matters by Kim Lumpkin
If you have usage questions, chances are you’ll find the answers in Lapsing Into a Comma.
The Dirty Old West by David Abrams
Has a Canadian written the Great American Western? Not quite, but Guy Vanderhaeghe gives Larry McMurtry a run for his money.
Inside Game 7 by John Nesbit
Incredibly intimate portrait behind the scenes of the recent Yankee dynasty that will make even hard core Yankee haters recognizing their humanity.
Bill T. Jones' sensation-filled life and art by Stephen Murray
On the page as on stage, Bill T. Jones soars.
Don't Judge a Gift by its Wrapping by David Abrams
I'll probably get a lump of coal in my stocking for saying this, but Malone's novel is the most disappointing book of the year. Drippy, contrived, clunky.
Unwise Blood by David Abrams
How do you turn horror into humdrum? David Searcy shows us how with his bloated sentences and langorous phrasing.
Go West, Edith Wharton by David Abrams
A cowboy and a pregnant debutante fall in love in Wyoming during the 1920s. Allen Morris Jones delivers an old-fashioned story wrapped in lean, modern minimalism. This book haunts long after the last page has been turned.
How an abysmal posthumous novel tells some brutal truths about a literary lion by Bobby Lashley
Given the massive stature of its author, the circumstances regarding its publication and the miserable failure of the work itself, Lawd Today is one of the most depressing reads I've had in a long time.
An Arabist Explores a Film Classic by Stephen Murray
What is shocking in a book by an expert on Arab/Yemeni culture is the failure to acknowledge that the dominant discourse about male-male love and sex in the Ottoman Empire (of which Yemen was a part from 1513 to 1916) was pederastic.
It's hard to love those one should and hard not to love those one shouldn't by Stephen Murray
"If you look at anything closely enough, long enough, it will break your heart."
The Message Overwhelms all Media by Laurie Edwards
The Message overwhelms the medium.
Slasher Cinema 101: Legacy of Blood: A Comprehensive Guide to Slasher Movies by Mike Bracken
With Legacy of Blood Jim Harper has written another fine addition to the critical body of work discussing the slasher film.
Lemony Snicket: the Mask Behind the Man by David Abrams
It's very, very, very, very, very, very funny. Except when it's not.
A Filipino boy Whose Parents Were Snatched Away by Stephen Murray
"I want one thing only. Please bring my mama back to me, safe, with no more bruises."
Honesty Is the Best Policy by Laurie Edwards
This is a wonderful, thoughtful story, with surprises and vivid characters and situations.
Fire Away, Monkey Boy! by Chris Madsen
C'mon down, monkey boys and girls! Check out the new thing for comic strips! Comic book style! Bigger panels, sharper art, and bigger breasts! (Well, ok...maybe not bigger breasts unless you used a magnifying lens.)
Tripping the Dark Fantastic: Brian Hodge's Lies and Ugliness by Mike Bracken
Hodge's brilliance knows no bounds, as this latest collection so capably demonstrates.
A Twisted Tale of Modern Life by Kim Lumpkin
The novel's greatest strength is this subversive sense of humor and absurdity. Fitzsimmons' bio states that he writes for television, and this comes through very clearly in his highly visual style of writing. Many of his set pieces read like a script, and a pretty outrageous one at that.
Zoos, Religions, and a Too-Soft Writing Style by Laurie Edwards
I feel like a bitch, complaining that there's not enough exciting stuff happening here.
The Royal Family Was Dysfunctional Back Then, Too by Laurie Edwards
A funny-but-sad look at a family who are all a tad off the program. No one here is normal; no one's even close.
A Timely Guide to Understanding and Dealing With Children's Fears by Kim Lumpkin
With an engaging style that is neither condescending nor overly-technical, Dr. Marans goes through each stage of development and the typical fears children face at each stage and how they typically deal with them.
Americans blundering across Arab sands in an earlier epoch by Stephen Murray
Three days after handing the first briefcase filled with cash to the king of Kurash, Mack writes in a memorandum to the home office about Arabs "looking for a way back into the Koran, true belief, and a kind of purity that we in the West cannot contaminate." This is gibberish to the Cold Warriors who regard anything less than dependence on the US (and monopoly markets of US companies) as "communism" or aiding Soviet world domination. What they decide all the capital cities in the world really need are statues of Abraham Lincoln in prominent places.
An Insightful Recollection of Impoverished Sicily by Stephen Murray
The boy thinks deeply about what miracles he should perform while he is Jesus. He does not understand that he is an actor playing a role; he fully expects to become divine for St. Joseph's day.
Warm and Fuzzy and Sweet by Laurie Edwards
Buy a copy for your kids...for you too, if you have any romance in your soul.
Aftermath of the 1965 Watts Riots by Stephen Murray
Easy is a knight errant in the Philip Marlowe tradition, a responsible man in the midst of black and white acting out. He seeks justice. Those charged with enforcing the law want order, and are not too particular about the letter of the law.
Yankee Chicks by Laurie Edwards
Little Women is Louisa May Alcott's finest work and a classic every girl should have a chance to read.
It's an American Institution! No, really! by Marty Brown
[Insert Appropriate Catchphrase Here]
Negative Value by Laurie Edwards
The book jumps from bad childhood to bad adulthood and back, with neither scenario making much sense or connecting to the other.
Humanizing Hillary by John Nesbit
Most will run to the index to look up Lewinsky, but there's far more under Starr. A guarded, but important memoir about one of the most recognized women in modern times.
FEETAL's GIZZ! by Chris Madsen
If you think Wolverine is the best there is at what he does, he's got nothin' on the Main Man! Lobo would make chump-meat out of Wolveroonie, and that's the facts, Clyde!
Studying Chinese women before and after Tiananmen by Stephen Murray
Gates is engagingly honest about her frustrations with Chinese life as well as her joys of solidarity with those people she studied (including the assistants she drove hard and hung up exhausted).
Lookin' for love in a place he seemed to have almost found it by Stephen Murray
The arcs of three romances and a job are a lot to manage in a 176-page novel, some pages of which are filled with examples of Martin's poetry, , but The Losers' Club is an entertaining and occasionally touching first novel of accomplishment, not just of promise.
Unsentimental memoirs of artists lost to AIDS by Stephen Murray
How can works of art be known if there is no one to care for them and put them before the public?
A Whisper of Ghosts by David Abrams
Peter Straub creeps in on little cat's feet and put his icy paws on our neck.
Finding Fenimore Cooper by David Abrams
Jeffrey Lent's second novel is dense, tangled and dark. Read it and find yourself.
The Lost: Jack Ketchum loses his way by Mike Bracken
Certainly not Ketchum's best work...
The Laureate in Twilight by Bobby Lashley
“Love” proves that Morrison at 80 percent is still one of the greatest novelists writing today. She might not be the novelist that Oprah makes her out to be but that doesn't mean she's isn't something special.
The Second Coming or a Texas-Sized Hoax? by Kim Lumpkin
Suspense thriller and mystery, Love Her Madly tells the story of an FBI investigator obsessed with a convicted killer in Texas.
Oh, This is Icky!! by Laurie Edwards
Love You Forever is too weird for words. Ignore this oddball.
Fox Walks a Fine Line & Emerges Lucky Nonetheless by Nita Daniel
Michael J. Fox's Lucky Man: A Memoir reveals an engaging man with a surprisingly deft gift for language. Despite some flaws, it successfully supports its thesis than Parkinson's Disease has made Michael J. Fox a lucky man.
Just Who is Lucy Sullivan Going to Marry? by Rian Montgomery
I chuckled my way through a goodly portion of this book...totally funny—until things get really serious very suddenly. However, it was an overall darned good read.
Looking With a Jaundiced Eye by Laurie Edwards
The "empowerment" of children at the expense of adults isn't something we should be promoting.
A novel about nuns didn't sound promising, but I was wrong by Stephen Murray
"Life without seizures may seem a bit dull at first, but that's a normal adjustment."
Over Hill, Over Dale by Laurie Edwards
Make Bright the Arrows is an excellent first novel, one you'll hang onto for repeated reading.
Taking Care of Our Most Precious Resource by Kim Lumpkin
It may be a cliché to say that the human brain is the most important yet least understood part of the human body, but this makes it no less true and no less important for us to continue to try to understand just how it works.
Preserve and Adorn Your Memories by Laurie Edwards
Protecting your memories and making them gorgeous is easy and important. Do it.
Not a Nice Place, is Charlie's Mind by Laurie Edwards
From the first page in, you know Charlie's a sociopath.
You can never get what you want when you want it by Stephen Murray
White has considerable personal experience of being the one who loves—or loves more than the beloved one does.
One Side of the Story by Laurie Edwards
Mary Queen of Scots is scholarly research. Fraser has used every conceivable contemporary writing to present the facts of her story.
Unreadable even for a Bourdieu book by Stephen Murray
The book is filled with excruciatingly hyper-academic, hyper-convoluted prose in unoriginal and dogmatic theorizing removed from consideration of any actual practices.
Wiping the Dew off Fiction's Navel by David Abrams
Michael Chabon and Dave Eggers want to return us to the days of thrilling, plot-centric pulp fiction. They get us at least halfway there.
Racism and Baseball by John Nesbit
Illuminating book about the racism present in America, using Hank Aaron as the lightning rod.
Guaranteed to Make You Laugh by Kim Lumpkin
Me Talk Pretty One Day covers much of Sedaris's childhood and young adulthood to the present, as he learns to adapt to life as a gay man, beginning in grade school in a small North Carolina town where he learns to talk about sports teams because, “You could turn up your nose at the president or Coke or even God, but there were names for boys who didn't like sports.”
The final gleaning of Penelope Fitzgerald fiction by Stephen Murray
Penelope Fitzgerald wrote, "Getting old is a crime of which we grow more guilty each day." In her case, not starting sooner and dying might also be indictable offenses. But whyever she proceeded as she did, she managed to produce a shelf of terrifying and exhilarating novels — and a few strong stories, too.
The Staggering Life of Entertaining Men by Rachel Gordon
Just when you thinking growing up female in America sucks, try reading about another country.
How Did a Male Outsider Learn All This? by Laurie Edwards
I'm in love with this book! Buy a nice copy; you'll want to read it several times, and it deserves a nice spot on your bookcase.
A Love Between and Beyond by Kim Lumpkin
It is one of our most comforting notions that when those we love pass away, their spirits watch over us until we join them. This is the case in Dominique's conception of what waits for us after death – sort of.
A Modern Messiah Battles the Media Age by Kim Lumpkin
Hendra's book may be a sendup on modern religion, but it's just as if not more pious in its own way than many straight-up religious tales (like the Left Behind series which he even gives a sardonic nod here). Fortunately, the down-to-earth nature of the hero makes it all quite palatable.
Get to Know Your Neighbor by Kim Lumpkin
Mexico has been in the news a lot lately thanks to the protests against stricter measures against illegal immigration, once again highlighting the political and economic woes that have beset this fascinating and colorful country for so many years. Despite the stereotypes of Mexico as a land of poverty, violence, and “gringo” haters, many Americans have fallen under its spell.
Miracle of the Sistine Chapel by John Nesbit
Awe inspiring and mesmerizing are far too limiting as descriptions of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel frescos. This is the definitive guide, told in a provocative and lively style.
Giving a Little-Known Key to Good Health Its Due by Kim Lumpkin
A user-friendly book that is a handy primer for those who want to learn more about how enzymes work and which ones might be most beneficial to them
Rotting in the Sunshine by Stephen Murray
The two spiders inherited more than they wove.
Birthin' Babies in Old Appalachia by David Abrams
Like an episode of THE WALTONS (but with blood and death), the novel has an endearing sweetness and purity.
Strength in Negativity by Laurie Edwards
These are incredible tales, told through the haze of anger, discomfort, hatred, and contempt. You won't ever forget these stories.
Rot, Death, Decay: a Heartwarming Story by David Abrams
Chapman turns his sharp eye and flapping tongue on grief and sorrow. The result is a strangely comforting novel.
Feminism in Camelot by Laurie Edwards
The writing captivates. You'll read page after page and not realize how late it's getting. It's wonderful reading.
The Definitive Guide To Alternative Country by Chris Sweet
Stunning depth makes Modern Twang a winner.
Facing Our Financial Fears by Kim Lumpkin
It is well documented that, for many centuries, women were taught not to worry about money, as long as they married a successful man. If they happened to fail at this vital task, or if their husband left them or died, they were left to fend for themselves with few if any marketable skills. Although women now have almost as many career opportunities as men, many are still trapped in the mindset that they must marry well to achieve the kind of lifestyle they deserve.
The Art of Winning an Unfair Game by John Nesbit
Essential reading for all baseball enthusiasts, Lewis' treatise serves as a basic introduction to meaningful sabermetrics as well as providing insight into intelligent team building.
Blacked out in Boston by Chris Madsen
Boston Blackie - definitely not your average run-of-the-mill comic.
Crime Fighting and Motherhood by Kim Lumpkin
As a storyteller, Martinez has a great sense of balance. She doesn't linger too long over any character or scene, so the plot moves along at a good pace, yet she doesn't gloss over any significant details, either.
Delectable Brooklyn by Nita Daniel
Motherless Brooklyn demonstrates isolation on so many levels—that of the freak, the misfit, and the orphan. Here, people choose worlds to inhabit, and then barricade themselves inside them. It's absolutely fascinating.
Disneyland's Dark Side by John Nesbit
What lurks behind Sleeping Beauty's Castle? Walt always included an evil character, and Disneyland has its own tales of terror and troubles.
Surpassing Your Past by Rachel Gordon
Jamaica Kincaid's latest explores the painful psychological journey of accepting a difficult past so that you can fully appreciate the present with a look towards the future.
Tiny Tim Sings a New Christmas Carol by David Abrams
This isn't your grandfather's Tiny Tim. Author Louis Bayard cleverly reinvents Charles Dickens' timelessly sweet character.
Fiddler on the Goof by David Abrams
Imagine Preston Sturges colliding with Henny Youngman on the corner of Mirth and Chutzpah and you'll have some idea what's coursing through Paula Marantz Cohen's new novel.
Mystery? Psyche Novel, Ghost Story? by Laurie Edwards
I can't recommend a book that can't decide what it wants to be. No mystery to solve, a run-of-the-mill lunatic, weak characters, and a ghostly president make Murder at Monticello not worth the time it takes to breeze through it. Reread Dame Agatha instead.
Second-Rate Celebrity Writes Fourth-Class "Mystery" by Laurie Edwards
The biggest question in a murder mystery is this: Is there a mystery to solve? The answer here is no.
Whodunit? Who Cares? by Laurie Edwards
Elliot Roosevelt's Mommy mysteries don't do anything to add luster to his branch of the family tree.
Goin' to the Chapel, and We're Gonna Get Strangled by Laurie Edwards
Belgian dandies, old ladies, tough guys, or whomever, the most important thing about a good murder mystery is the sleuth. Surprisingly, Sister Helen is strong enough to take a seat at Poirot's table.
Death of Two Queens by Laurie Edwards
Murder Most Royal is a perfect example of why Jean Plaidy's work has endured time and competition so well.
The Grande Dame's Best Mystery by Laurie Edwards
"Then," said Poirot, "having placed my solution before you, I have the honour to retire from the case..."
No Lansbury = No Fun by Laurie Edwards
Skip Knock 'Em Dead (and the other Murder, She Wrote books) and just rewatch the TV episodes for the umpteenth time on A&E.;
The Darker Side of Stan the Man? by John Nesbit
Not for the casual fan, an attempted expose on the St. Louis Cardinals greatest player.
Candid, graphic memoir about gay interracial encounters by Stephen Murray
The stories are sexually graphic. I would say that there are not "about sex," but about trying to understand some men, including the author, through sexual encounters
Love in a Time of Potato Famine by David Abrams
An Irish journalist looks for love in all the green places in a straightforward—yet elegantly lyrical—first novel.
Eggless in Astoria by Heather Marie Harris
An urban folktale about a writer's quirky relationship with a cheeky fowl.
Autobiography of Luis Buñuel by John Nesbit
If curious about surrealism, or if you want to figure out what the hell Buñuel's films are about—be sure to read My Last Sigh. It's definitive and highly entertaining.
Taking Poets Deadly Seriously in a Wild Spree of a Novel by Stephen Murray
An epigram from Frankenstein, "I beheld the wretch -- the miserable monster whom I had created" provides forewarning of one major plotline: the torments a creator of a new being suffers from his creation.
Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails... by Heather Marie Harris
This beguiling tale is sure to elicit giggles, grins, and bedtime hugs aplenty.
AIDS comes to northeastern Tennessee by Stephen Murray
Decreasingly connected to feelings of having vocation of caring for people, doctoring had also largely become detached from risks of contracting diseases for which there is no cure...until AIDS appeared (and increased the fear of risk quite out of proportion to the real increase in risk).
Would I Feel Different if I Were a 16-year-old Black Chick? by Laurie Edwards
I'm this girl's enemy, and I don't even know her. Maybe if I were younger and not so very white, this would sound a chord in me of reasonable anger. As things stand, however, I don't get it, I'm saddened by it, and I'm pissed off at the attitude.
The Best in the Business by Laurie Edwards
My Wide World of Sports is a wonderful look at an impressive sports reporting career in the second half of the 20th century.
Name of the Rose Will Rack Your Brain by Laurie Edwards
This isn't easy reading; your mind will be tested and found wanting by the sheer range of subjects touched on in this book.
The master of (hetero)sexual perversity by Stephen Murray
Few have written as lucidly about sexual perversity as Tanizaki did.
Curious George by Kim Lumpkin
George Carlin, who has been around for a long time doing standup, comedy albums, movies, the occasional sitcom and, most recently books, knows a thing or two about comedy as social criticism.
From Russia With Hope by David Abrams
In his debut short story collection, David Bezmozgis delivers simple, unadorned stories about Russian refuseniks settling in Toronto in the 1980s. The full impact sinks in after we've stopped reading.
Ramifying, multiple losses in the remote west by Stephen Murray
Even more than The Man Who Fell in Love with the Moon, it seems that the hallucinatory effects Henderson was trying to achieve are those of Jim Grimsley's Dreamboy (set in the South rather than the West, but also laden with homophobic violence and not completely clear about what happens).
Nekropolis by Nita Daniel
Nekropolis is a tight, sparse, and wonderful work of near-future science fiction that asks huge questions in a personal way. McHugh's juxaposition of bioengineering and orthodox religion is timely and compelling.
A Life of Wonder by Kim Lumpkin
Celebrities fill many niches in our lives; some give us a vicarious by reading or hearing about their glamorous lives, some can make us feel superior when they screw up royally, and some make us feel as if they are a close friend we can always turn to for comfort and advice.
And the Children Shall Lead by John Nesbit
Who will rule the future? How much do YOU know about the Internet?
Sometimes They Come Back by David Abrams
O'Nan takes the high school car crash legend ("Teen Angel," "Deadman's Curve") and fashions it into a profoundly moving novel about life, love and loss.
When the goin' was tough by Stephen Murray
From a 21st-century capital of sexual political correctnes. It is like watching the life cycle of some other species on PBS nature programs.
Some Secrets Don't Stay Buried by Kim Lumpkin
Families have a tendency to bring out the very worst in us because these are the people who are most familiar with our faults and how to push our buttons. In her new novel, Crook taps into this truth to give her characters a feeling of authenticity and relatability.
I Had to Subtract a Star... by Laurie Edwards
Ignore the polemic; this is an exceptional study of the lives and sports careers of some astounding athletes.
Struggling to find a Place in the Modern World by Kim Lumpkin
Aslan's fact-filled book, which could easily become a standard in religious studies classes, is a fairly comprehensive overview of the history of one of the world's most analyzed yet least understood religions.
A Fun Guide to Overcoming Your Fears and Following Your Dreams by Kim Lumpkin
When you think about it, the host of reality adventure shows (The Amazing Race, NOW) is an ideal choice to write a motivational book. And Phil Keoghan does have many great stories to tell.
Whether 'tis Nobler.... by Chris Madsen
Whether 'tis nobler to suffer the....oh heck, this is a comic book, not Shakespeare! And a very well done one too!
Healthy Ways to Cope with Adultry by Laurie Edwards
Not "Just Friends" isn't a book you'll ever want to have a reason to read, but reading it now might just save you the misery of ever needing to.
A Clear-Eyed Look at Infidelity by Kim Lumpkin
Dr. Glass's lack of moralizing and blaming is evident from the very beginning of the book when she announces, "Good people in good marriages are having affairs"
A Day at the Beach for Max, Word, and Grandma by Laurie Edwards
Not the Piano, Mrs. Medley! is one of the cutest children's books I've ever read. Grab a copy; your little ones will love it.
Aimless, Maudlin, Pretentious, and Homophobic. by Stephen Murray
A short but seemingly endless book to avoid!
The waning of Valdimir Nabokov's fiction by Stephen Murray
Nabokov kept doing what he was doing, but few people cared any more, and I don't think that enshrining his late work in the Library of the Americas is going to lead to a re-evaluation that these are the busywork of a clever and highly educated writer in decline.
ESPN Sports Guy Finds Redemption by John Nesbit
No team has caused more collective pain and anguish than the Boston Red Sox. At least not until 2004 when the entire New England Region finally found redemption after 86 years of heartbreak. Fortunately, the country's best sportswriter pulls together the definitive memoir of the historic event.
Baseball and Racism: a Turning Point by John Nesbit
While describing the World Series combatants in 1964, this book also examines racial and sociological movements of its time.
Girls Are Mean: How to Cope by Beth Allen
Odd Girl Out seeks to draw the veils on adolescent female aggression and bring to light concepts that few men and (more importantly) women are willing to admit exist.
This Boy's Writing Life by David Abrams
Wolff's first novel took years to get here, but the wait was well worth it.
New Life for a Deserving Old Mystery by Laurie Edwards
Characters right out of Central Casting became interesting people, each with his/her own ideas and oddballs traits.
This Precocious Piglet Is a Charmer by Heather Marie Harris
This feisty piglet will engage youngsters and charm adults with her humorous, energetic and theatrical adventures.
A Year of War by Laurie Edwards
Robert Hayes' military-speak has managed to make dull a terrific story.
Mostly jaunty dispatches from WWII by Stephen Murray
"Gradually it became a part of all of us that the truth about anything was automatically secret and that to trifle with it was to interfere with the War Effort."
...that was known as Camelot by Laurie Edwards
Read this; it'll balance out the recent spate of anti-Kennedy biographies, and a few of the personal stories are wonderful.
More Fun Than a Movie & Tastier Than Popcorn by Nita Daniel
Stephanie Plum is entirely aware of all the stereotypes of how a crime-solving heroine should behave, and she is a wholesale failure at living up to them. One for the Money is a rare thing in today's media: reliable entertainment.
A man, a horse, a boy by David Abrams
As he did in The Secret Life of Cowboys, Tom Groneberg describes the inner workings of a man's heart with plain-spoken, poetic language
Bee Bearhorn 1964--1999 by Laurie Edwards
In this excellent novel, Bee Bearhorn (a flash-in-the-pan 80s British glamorpuss) dies alone in her London apartment, leaving her little sister to figure out all the lies she lived.
An anthropologist's attempt to de-exoticize gay Harlemites by Stephen Murray
The greatest strength and interest of Hawkeswood's book are quotations from his "informants" about their roles in their natal families, black churches, workplaces, and black gay networks. There is remarkably little about sexual behavior or gender.
Eudora's gift by Bobby Lashley
In her brilliant short story collections, A Curtain of Green, The Wide Net , The Golden Apples and the Bride of The Innisfallen, Welty cuts bias, pretense and prosaic flash to create fictional worlds so real and so clear that her act of creation has a certain art to it.
Dan Birlew's Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny Official Strategy Guide by Mike Bracken
Stuck in Onimusha 2? Get this guide.
A Feel-Good Tale of Feminine Perspective by Heather Marie Harris
Berg's talent for intelligent, descriptive writing and insightful prose shines in this emotional tale.
Jokey but keenly observed takes on gay and family lives by Stephen Murray
It seems that he comes by his optimism naturally, since his mother tells his sister, "Just because you're coming home for your father's funeral, doesn't mean that we can't have fun."
Light and Darkness in Green Democracy by Tony Pellum
Aeschylus applies the metaphors of “light” and “dark” to symbolize a shift from the old, traditional Talionic law to the just, almost divine democracy of the law court.
Pricks and Arrows by Dan Callahan
Jean Genet's Our Lady of the Flowers still has the power to arouse and disturb.
Out of The Blue I Was Disappointed by Rian Montgomery
A boring book that seemed to never end, filled with lifeless cardboard characters.
History Romance Sci-fi by Laurie Edwards
The first and best of Diana Gabaldon's "Outlandish" series.
Important Study of the Shadow of Fundamentalist Islam by Laurie Edwards
Weaver is a first-rate storyteller, as well as a writer of excellent non-fictuion. She's also gutsy enough to travel to Pakistan and learn about the place and its people—and interview some of the biggies who run it.
When New York City Bled by David Abrams
Easily one of the year's best novels, Paradise Alley instructs, entertains and provokes in a deceptively simple manner.
A Sensitive Sleuth by Kim Lumpkin
What makes Maisie Dobbs stand out from other mystery heroines is her heightened sense of empathy. She is both a detective and a psychologist, which makes her especially skillful at dealing with difficult subjects.
The "Other Mary" Comes Clean – Sort Of by Kim Lumpkin
The impact of The Da Vinci Code continues to be felt as more authors feel free to explore lesser known biblical figures, and one of the most intriguing of those by far is Mary Magdalen, whose identity and exact relationship to Jesus has been a source of almost endless speculation.
Ambitious, Accomplished First Novel by Stephen Murray
Training to see objectively in the dark doesn't help these characters see into each other's souls.
Slanted and Unrealistic by Laurie Edwards
This is exciting and mostly well-written, but the slant is so sharp you could cut yourself on it.
An Instant Classic by David Abrams
Stop what you're doing and click over to your favorite book site to grab some Peace. You'll thank me later.
Elegy for Charlie by Daniel Briney
A beautiful, if flawed retrospective on Charles Schulz and Peanuts.
War is Funny as Hell by David Abrams
Dude, I'm like totally stoked about this gnarly Gulf War novel!
We've Come a Long Way, Baby…But Have We Gone Too Far? by Kim Lumpkin
Dr. Sandra Pertot writes with a sense of bemusement about the days when women were woefully ignorant about sex, and they were not supposed to enjoy it. However, she also notes that the pendulum may have swung too far in the other direction, and now it is the women who don't enjoy sex who are made to feel like the abnormal ones.
The Great (Native) American Novel by David Abrams
Every once in a while, a book comes along that knocks the wind out of my lungs. Perma Red is just such a novel.
The Phantom Pain of Dead Parents by David Abrams
If I told you this was a charming little book about suicide and abandonment, you'd probably think I was crazy.
The Story of a True Everyfrog by Kim Lumpkin
In this adaptation of an old fable, the titular frog becomes bored and restless in his too-comfortable pond and goes out to seek greater challenges, which of course are all too easy to find.
Inevitable Build Up to Iraq by John Nesbit
Not since Viet Nam has a war proved as polarizing as the Iraq War, yet Bob Woodward crafts an accounting that is recommended by both Bush and Kerry supporters!
A page-turner about a very unusual academic by Stephen Murray
When he was a child, the circus embodied a parallel universe, with everything denied a little child in a small provincial town in France.
The Sad Tale of an Insubstantial Woman by Laurie Edwards
She was the girl who saved John Smith from her father's warriors' clubs by throwing her body between them and his head. That story ain't true. Never happened.
T.R. Pearson is Evermore Funny as All Get-Out by David Abrams
It's like Andy Griffith hopped up on amphetamines. Only funnier.
Pacifist Apologetics by Tony Pellum
It isn't that Yoder is wrong about everything—yes, Christ did make allusions to the Jubilee year...yes, there was non-violent resistance in Jewish society before Christ's time—he is just wrong in the way he goes about it.
Angels and Assholes during the Folk Era by John Nesbit
The inside story of the Village life of the 1960's—What was Bob Dylan really like?
All Aces by Laurie Edwards
Reread Positively Fifth Street a couple of times and realize why it's worth five stars.
Spirits Made Flesh for Werewolf: The Apocalypse by Shannon W. Hennessy
Not just Freak Legion Revised, Possessed is an unbelievably useful resource that adds depth to the game of Werewolf, as well as the World of Darkness as a whole.
Possession Maintains Its Hold on You by Nita Daniel
A.S. Byatt weaves mystery and romance together with a little poetry to create Possession, a book to be savoured whether you consider yourself a mystery fan, a romance lover, a literary geek, a fiction junkie, or some combination of all four.
Authentic Powerpuff Girls From the Man who Created Them by Laurie Edwards
Big, Terrible Trouble? is a special collector's edition Little Golden Book written and illustrated by McCracken himself.
A model of how to understand historical conflicts by Stephen Murray
The Powhatan sought to incorporate the English within their society, though none of the English ever seemed to conceive that "heathen inferiors" believed that they could and should make the rules for uninvited and unruly immigrants.
Rosemary by the Garden Gate by Kathleen Diehl
No, not the Sandra Bullock movie. Alice Hoffman's dreamy fantasy focuses on questions of love and individuality.
Preach on! by Chris Madsen
Jesse Custer, Tulip and Cassidy are the main characters in this storyline by Garth Ennis. Definitely for mature readers, this is a book that you won't be able to put down.
Hey Kids, Leave It To Reaver! by Daniel Reifferscheid
fucked-up
Pre-Modern Postmodernism by Tony Pellum
Essentially a Postmodern thinker, stressing the importance of relativity and experience over absolute, concrete thoughts, Kierkegaard challenged prominent philosophers of his day, most notably Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel who placed too much importance on thinking rather than doing. However, Kierkegaard took it one step further.
A Collison of Minds and Hearts by Kim Lumpkin
The idea of Jesus possibly being married to Mary Magdalene has certainly been fertile ground for writers lately, and why not?
The Thunder Before The Strike by Jerry Cantu
This is a good book in itself, but it falls short of the masterpiece it would later inspire. Give this great book a read, then challenge yourself to Twain's greatest: A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court.
Control Time and Save the Kingdom with The Prince of Persia Strategy Guide by Mike Bracken
Get everything there is to get out of one of last year's greatest games.
A Trip Down The River Is A Trip Up The Creek! by Jerry Cantu
Once again Twain bare-knuckles it against slavery. This is a fine novel, but it shouldn't be your first attempt at his style.
Seed to Jack-O-Lantern by Heather Marie Harris
Get a bug’s eye view and bird’s eye high view of seeds sprouting, flowers blooming, bees buzzing and pumpkins growing.
The Return of the Intellectual's Detective by Kim Lumpkin
In bringing Inspector Espinosa to life, Garcia-Roza has created a detective who is both enigmatic and accessible.
The Worst Possible Look at the Subject by Laurie Edwards
If you want to write a slash bio, there'll always be ex-friends and rejected lovers who'll be glad to lend misery to the effort.
Three Pounds of Brain Cells by David Abrams
The first third of a 3,000-page trilogy on "The System of the World," QUICKSILVER is a dazzling display of knowledge, but a mere fizzle when it comes to entertainment.
Not Your Father's Mickey Mouse by David Abrams
Once again, Chris Ware proves he's something of a genius with pen and ink as he delves into the self-conscious subconscious. All this in what people once called "a comic book."
John Updike's finest hour. by Bobby Lashley
His best work, and there's a lot of it, has given him an indelible place in our American letters. He is one of our literary masters and Rabbit at Rest is where he is at the peak of his powers.
Who Are We? What Are We? Where Are We Going? by Chris Sweet
Vowell delivers some excellent insight into an America that many of us never see through her year-long relationship with the radio.
The ultimate mystery is family by Stephen Murray
Raymond Chandler, the founder of hard-boiled LA murder mysteries, famouslay complained, "The better you write a mystery, the more clearly you demonstrate that the mystery is really not worth writing."
Making the Toughest Job in the World a Little Easier by Kim Lumpkin
The key point of Raising a Secure Child is the importance of establishing a healthy emotional connection with your child. Biringen does a good job of showing through both theory and examples what a healthy emotional connection is, and just as importantly, what it is not.
Finally, Some Really Good News for Single Moms by Kim Lumpkin
Peggy Drexler is on a mission to improve the image of single moms. Although hardly a new phenomenon, single motherhood is very often considered a highly undesirable condition and even a threat to society in today's conservative, "pro-family" social environment.
Sad Sex by Kim Lumpkin
For all of its preoccupation with sex, Rapture is hardly pornographic, or even erotic. That's the point.
The elderly Nobelist coasting on popular prejudices by Stephen Murray
What's wrong with this book is what's wrong with Bellow's work in general: in a word, bigotry.
Voyeur, Mon Amour by Dan Callahan
The Ravishing of Lol Stein is one of Marguerite Duras' most affecting novels.
You ARE What You Read by John Nesbit
How many books do you know that extol the virtues of The Bible, the Communist Manifesto, and Mein Kampf within its covers?
A Ray of Hope for Parents by Kim Lumpkin
If you are a parent of a preschool child who suspects something may be amiss, now is the time to do something about it. And if you only read one book for advice on how to begin, this should be the one.
Under the Postcard Veneer by David Abrams
If Oprah were still picking contemporary fiction for her book club, Mary Sharratt's novel would be a sure thing. It's got it all: repressed women, triumphant women, adultery, pregnancy and plenty of Kleenex moments.
Pete Duval's stories have grimy fingernails by David Abrams
In his debut collection of short stories, Pete Duval resurrects the ghosts of Raymond Carver and Andre Dubus...with mixed results.
The First Wife's Tale by Laurie Edwards
Rebecca was beautiful, cultured, intelligent, stylish, and popular. She was everything the shy second Mrs. de Winter isn't.
Coming of Age When You're Out of Your League by Rachel Gordon
Growing up is tougher than usual when you're replacing someone perfect.
Extravagant hopes dashed in Buenos Aires by Stephen Murray
Although neither the plots nor the language bear any obvious relationship to the works of Edgar Allen Poe, there is something about the hopes for love reminiscent of Poe.
Is This Kid a Worthy Spokesman? by Laurie Edwards
The 80's references amuse, but Fricke's lack of comprehension of his own cause place him squarely in the dizzy queen category.
The Tragedy of War From Behind the Front by Rachel Gordon
The first in a series of anti-war novels by award winning author Pat Barker.
Francis of Assisi Revealed for the 21st Century by John Nesbit
Spoto balances religious devotion with research to create a readable and truthful account of Francis of Assisi
Angry Bystanders by David Abrams
Don't let the "Office of Inland Security" stop you from reading Barry Lopez's book of short stories. Reading Lopez might just make you a better person.
Domestic Horror, Next Exit by David Abrams
The author brings his disturbing theatrical pieces to the page. There is no rest for the reader.
The Grande Finale by Kim Lumpkin
The last installment of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings is perhaps one of the most satisfying endings in literature.
As Guilty as OJ!! by Laurie Edwards
The film is better than the book, and Irons plays von Bulow more as I picture him than as Dershowitz wrote him, so rent it if you get the chance.
A mixed bag of gay Asian/Pacific Islander frustrations by Stephen Murray
The best-known of the contributors, Justin Chin, seems to blame his unhappiness on white gay men for either desiring him or not desiring him. It seems that the latter is slightly more painful, but clear that Chin regards his pains as coming entirely from white gay men.
Keys to Financial Literacy by John Nesbit
This is one of the few books about wealth thinking that makes sense—lessons NOT taught in your local school system!
For the Beauty of the Earth by David Abrams
When I read this book, I think of that line from Jesus Christ Superstar: "The rocks and stones themselves would start to sing!"
Teenage Wasteland by Kim Lumpkin
The Road to Whatever is youth and crime expert Elliot Curry's examination of the factors which lead to this tragically wasteful and sometimes deadly condition among so many middle class youths today.
An Everyday Military Hero by Laurie Edwards
Robert E. Lee: A Biography is the one to buy and believe! Somewhere between the worshipful textbook and the slash bio is what I consider the real Lee story.
A Life of Pain and Triumph by Kim Lumpkin
With all the buzz currently about the biopic about Ray Charles, it's worth noting that there is another musical biopic on the horizon about one of Charles's contemporaries and most ardent admirers, Bobby Darin, whose simultaneously tragic and inspiring life are also explored in Evanier's book.
What Might Through The Hymen Break? by Jerry Cantu
Remember being thirteen? To a boy, a boner is a sure sign of love at its purest. Girls dream of romance. Romeo and Juliet is both.
The last Roman emperor by Stephen Murray
"Every state calls itself 'country' or 'nation' when it is about to commit murder," Romulus tells his prospective son-in-law, "Rome knew the truth but chose violence. Rome knew humaneness, but chose tyranny."
A Thoroughly Chilling Crime Thriller by Kim Lumpkin
I've read my share of historical crime fiction, and while they all do a remarkable job of capturing the feel of a particular time and place, few have done so in a way that captured me like Rabb's book.
A Rose for thee... by Chris Madsen
A semi-prequel to the Bone books, Jeff Smith conjures up fascinating stories once again, involving the now familiar rat creatures!
Pimps, Pushers, and Prostitutes by Chris Sweet
Vollmann depicts the horrific underbelly of American life, part of the American identity we choose to ignore.
Whitewashed Utah in the Olden Days by Laurie Edwards
When all is said and done, this is a book of faith, a book that'll warm your soul.
An Odd Point of View by Laurie Edwards
The theme is simple: An unhappy young woman leaves the South and is equally unhappy in New York. That's it.
It Starts with a Dream by John Nesbit
If you like the movie Rudy, this should appeal to you. The real Rudy fills in the details and shares his personal philosophy.
The Best Miserable Book of the Year by David Abrams
As nicotine-stained and sweat-drenched as the darkest film noir, Samuel Ligon's novel is relentlessly grim and, ultimately, redemptive.
Lucy Taylor's The Safety of Unknown Cities by Mike Bracken
If you like sex and depravity, this is the book for you.
A complex saint with a troubled legacy by Stephen Murray
Wills shows that Augustine was not a grand prince of the church during his lifetime; he was only one of four hundred North African Roman Catholic bishops, and there were are many or more Donatist ones.
Bad First Bio of an Interesting Lady by Laurie Edwards
There are better bios of Miss Hemings available. Skip this one.
Salon.Com Wades Through the Waters of Contemporary Fiction by Chris Sweet
The Salon.com guide is one of the best resources available for information on contemporary authors.
This ain't your Metallica's Sandman! by Chris Madsen
Exit your sanity, your reality, your assurance that this is just another comic. Also leave behind, at the front cover of Neil Gaiman's work, anything you've read anywhere else.
Charles Baxter's Saul and Patsy: Beautiful Scenery, Bumpy Ride by David Abrams
Ignore that little word "novel" on the front cover of the book and you might just enjoy Baxter's portrait of Midwestern marriage. Otherwise, it's a patchwork mess.
The Life of a Sailor is Jade and Glory... by Shannon W. Hennessy
A well presented, surprisingly realistic reference for high adventure and epic conflict on the high seas of the Age of Sorrows.
A Dog's-Eye View of Heroism by Laurie Edwards
It's tough to write a believable story from an animal point of view, but Michael Foreman has done it.
Margaret Mitchell is Spinning in Her Grave by Laurie Edwards
Way to ruin a great story there, Ms. Ripley!
Born From the Horror of the Contagion... by Shannon W. Hennessy
You'll want to go where Scavenger Sons leads you, I swear it.
50 Ways to Eat Your Pigeon by David Abrams
Marinated stingray...baked sparrows...elk kidney pudding. Kids, don't try this at home without adult supervision!
Too Upbeat and Yet Too Grim by Laurie Edwards
Oskar Schindler is portrayed as a man with so many weaknesses he's nearly only good by accident or lack of will to be evil.
Seeking To Unlock One Of Music's Great Mysteries by Chris Sweet
Hardcore fans of the Blues will enjoy Guralnick's attempt to de-mystify Robert Johnson, but casual fans should look elsewhere.
Perspectives on a triangle by Stephen Murray
The next morning Tod wakes up, alone and nude, in Ramon's bed. He wonders why Ikukuo left him there, for how long, and (most of all) what happened after he passed out.
A Time, a Place, a Temperature by David Abrams
Lloyd Zimpel's new novel will make the bristly hairs stand up on your goosebumps...and make you glad you live in the 21st century.
Underneath the Stetson by David Abrams
Tom Groneberg lives out his cowboy dream, gets kicked in the teeth, but stays in saddle to give us one of the year's best memoirs.
Can a Drop of Water Hear Us? by Kim Lumpkin
In Emoto's gently persuasive words, “A wondrous power resides within the human soul. We hear all the time that our actions are a result of our thoughts, and this principle is truly demonstrated in how water forms crystals according to what influences it has been exposed to.”
So You Wanna be a Screenwriter? Tom Lazarus' Secrets of Film Writing by Mike Bracken
A screenwriting book written by a real screenwriter! Can you believe it?
Green Eyes Are the Story by Laurie Edwards
If no Bonesman (or woman) will ever speak on the record about the club, we have to wonder where Robbins is getting her information. More than that, she spews such nastiness throughout the book—and she was a member of another of Yale's secret societies—that her imparitality has to be suspect.
A Tasty Appetizer for Dan Brown Fans by Kim Lumpkin
Regardless of the quality of the upcoming Brown book (which Brown himself has confirmed will be set in Washington DC and focus on the secret organization of “Free and Accepted Masons”), Secrets of a Widow's Son is a fairly enjoyable little read on its own, particularly for American history buffs.
Promising New Young Adult Sci Fi Series Touches on Current Issues by Kim Lumpkin
While Seeker takes place in a different world in an unspecified time, the issues the characters face are very contemporary.
Short On Time But Big On Taste? by Heather Marie Harris
Quick, marvelous meals, and nothing from scratch.
SSDD by Laurie Edwards
"Same Shit, Different Day," is the best description of Servant of the Bones I can think of.
People who share their heads with people are the luckiest people by Brian Block
A unique (and researched) romance of split personalities. It let me experience life from a completely new perspective, and made me grateful to the characters who let me do so.
Edge-Of-Your-Seat Adventure by Kim Lumpkin
Are you a devotee of globe-spanning thrillers? Would a combination of James Bond and Indiana Jones be your idea of the perfect man? Then buckle your seatbelts; this is the book for you.
Terror in a Cozy Brooklyn Neighborhood by Kim Lumpkin
Seven Minutes to Noon is not a gore-fest, but more of a psychological thriller. Pepper relies on good old-fashioned suspense; she understands the dual terror of something terrible happening to a best friend and knowing the same thing could happen to you.
Why Pop Culture Matters by Kim Lumpkin
What sets Chuck Klosterman apart from most cynical, intellectual writers is that he doesn't pretend to be above pop culture because he knows he would be fighting a losing battle.
Why We All Should Care About Economics by Kim Lumpkin
After a weak start, Coyle's book becomes a thoughtful, informative, and even somewhat entertaining look at how economics affects every aspect of human life.
Cuban heteronormativity critically analyzed by a pained admirer of the revolution by Stephen Murray
More in sorrow than in anger, Leiner criticizes Cuban sex education, persecution of homosexuals (and of the effeminate boys regarded as proto-homosexuals), and the incarceration for their lifetime of HIV+ persons.
The Struggle to Adapt to the Daily Rhythm of Immersion & Exposure by Nita Daniel
If I see the quote about "the love of science and the science of love" one more time, I'll scream. It's true, but it doesn't adequately capture the allure of Ship Fever.
Too Long By Half by Laurie Edwards
Kinder should have made his book half as long as it is, and added a nice photo section. It's by turns fascinating and deadly dull.
Japan for Westerners by Laurie Edwards
The real story is this: Why do the Japanese think as they do? What drives this driven people?
The Shopaholic Is Back - This Time In New York City by Rian Montgomery
The naive, impulsive, hilarious, and lovable Becky returns in this side-splitting sequal to Confessions of a Shopaholic. Don't miss it.
First-Person Crazy by Laurie Edwards
Eric Shapiro has written a fascinating and sometimes scary collection of short stories that can only be applauded and marked a Must Read.
One Unlucky Lady by Kim Lumpkin
Lucy is the most interesting part of this tale; she is not so much plucky or resourceful as she is numbed by tragedy, fearless because she no longer really cares what happens to her.
Music From the Performer's Side by Laurie Edwards
The action tumbles along, from drunken abusive parents to jazz humiliations to abductions and shootings, but it never overwhelms the characters. You understand and feel for these people, and Tucker makes you care what happens to them.
It's a Tough Read, But. . . by Laurie Edwards
Silas Marner is a book of reawakening, of regaining pleasure and kindness in life.
Silent Honor by Laurie Edwards
Silent Honor is the story of one Japanese-American family and how it coped with the shame and hardships of internment.
The (Re)Birth of Bond by Kim Lumpkin
It takes guts to take on such a well-known and beloved hero, but Higson, a British comedy writer, succeeds by staying faithful to Fleming's vision of the character
Nunsense by David Abrams
Jim Kokoris's quirky novel about hope and redemption is so funny even the Pope might giggle.
Killing the Spirit of the Lord by Laurie Edwards
As slaveowners wrote essays describing the Biblical and social approval of slavery, so these women manage to justify the treatment of women in the LDS Church.
Understanding French Mentality by John Nesbit
Subtitled "Why we love France but not the French," this is an invaluable guide in understanding French culture.
Bittersweet "auto-fiction"* by Stephen Murray
The stories are character-driven, not plot-driven, and contain much social commentary on the range of locales (Texas, Morocco, Crete, Paris, Berlin, New York, northern Minnesota, suburban Chicago, Ann Arbor) through which the characters move.
The Love Boat vs. the Office Christmas Party? by Laurie Edwards
Skipping Christmas is a funny and telling look at society's ability to force people into group situations they'd rather not take part in.
Walking the Barbed Wire by David Abrams
Ward's debut novel of three women—a killer on death row, her last victim's widow, and the prison doctor—crackles with energy and wit.
Unfortunately, It's Excellent by David Abrams
Doom, despair and agony on me...Here comes another Lemony.
Slow Loris is FAST! by Laurie Edwards
Children will love the strange color scheme and the idea that you can get away with anything under cover of darkness. This is worth every bit of its five-star rating.
In the Jungle of 17,000 Books, Slow Monkeys is the One to Read by David Abrams
Jim Nichols' collection of short stories is easy to overlook but impossible to forget.
A Man, a Woman, a Wall by David Abrams
A mopey English med student finds love in Cold War Germany, promptly loses it, and spends a couple hundred pages trying to find her again.
The Nurturing of an Amazing Gift by Kim Lumpkin
This is indeed the uplifting story of an autistic man with an amazing musical gift, but it is also just as much the story of the amazing mother who worked tirelessly to make sure that her blind, autistic son had every opportunity to share his gift
A Sentimental Journey by Kim Lumpkin
The prose is pretty, and the humor funny, but it's so gentle that it's like listening to an uncle go on about “the good old days."
Dan Simmons' Song of Kali by Mike Bracken
Song of Kali is one of the best horror novels of the past 20 years.
Inside Outside by Jody Beth Rosen
A sense of intrepid lunacy is mandatory for enjoyment of Songs in the Key of Z.
Soul Calibur II: The Limited Edition Fighter's Guide by Mike Bracken
A great guide for a great game.
Confidential Knowledge of the Wall Crawler! by Chris Madsen
What do you really know about the creation of Spider-man? Read on and find out!
Spider-man! The movie novelization! by Chris Madsen
The Spider-man film is the buzz of next week; here's the low-down on the novelization!
Spike Lee on Spike Lee by John Nesbit
Forget what you've heard about Spike Lee. This is the real deal straight from his mouth!
Misty Watercolored Memories by David Abrams
What if you suddenly could remember everything you've ever done—like reading this Anne Tyler Lite version of Three Mile Island.
Definitive History of Chess Records by John Nesbit
Chicago means blues, and much of the reason for that comes from Chess Records. This is the story of the famous studio south of the Loop.
Child Killer on the Loose by Kim Lumpkin
Spiral is not what you would expect from a novel about a serial child killer in a racist community. For one thing, race is not the focus here; not all of the victims are black, and not all the villains are white. The emphasis is not on the crimes themselves, or even on the primary victims, but on the devastation these crimes wreak on so many innocent people.
Legends of Camber of Culdi, Part Two by Laurie Edwards
Definitely read St. Camber—after reading Camber of Culdi and before reading the rest of the series. With the exception of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings books, this is the best modern fantasy has to offer.
Don't Fear the Osmonds by Jody Beth Rosen
Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods next to Cheap Trick and The Leather Nun?
Doug Walsh's Star Fox Adventures Official Strategy Guide by Mike Bracken
Stuck in Star Fox Adventures? This guide can help you out.
Sex, drugs, and…More Sex and Drugs! by Kim Lumpkin
No one reads a book that begins with the heroine awaking from a drug-induced stupor wondering why her nipples hurt expecting great literature. Yet even as a mindless guilty pleasure, Star Struck pushes the limits of plausibility and cheese from the beginning
Every Trekker Should Read This One! by Laurie Edwards
If you're a real fan, you know you have to buy a copy of Star Trek: Sarek...and we're all real Trek fans at heart, right?
More Data than a Soong-Type Android by Dave Edwards
If you want exhaustive—nay, obsessive—detail about the makings and workings of a Galaxy-class starship, here's your book.
A Starry Ending! by Chris Madsen
Got a few days just to entertain yourself with a special book? I hope you don't have any obligations to take care of, because you'll feel sore at the interruptions...
A Failure of Historical Proportions by Laurie Edwards
Harrison's gone two steps beyond history as it actually happened. He creates a situation that not only never happened, but one in which the basis for it never happened either.
Dissecting the Big Business of Children's Literature by Kim Lumpkin
Sticks and Stones argues that children’s books are just another way for adults to manipulate and “homogenize” children.
Invasion of the Hollywood Body Snatchers by David Abrams
If the idea of Jennifer Aniston-like character barking instructions to her personal assistant while seated on the toilet makes you laugh, then STILL HOLDING is the kind of bleak Hollywood satire that's right up your alley.
Living Hard and Having the Last Laugh by Laurie Edwards
Loretta Lynn is tough. She's lived through a lot of good and bad—and she tells the real life story she couldn't tell back in '71.
Unpalatable Baseball Regurgitations by John Nesbit
There might be a decent 200-page baseball book in here. Just edit out the other 350 pages.
Harold Bloom: Not Just for English Majors Anymore; Or Is He? by Kim Lumpkin
Stories and Poems for Extremely Intelligent Children of All Ages may seem hopelessly anachronistic in this age of computer animation and other forms of technical wizardry, but there's something comforting about his love for the written word alone.
A Heady Mix of Kinds of Novels by Stephen Murray
A literary opera with recitative and dialogue rather than arias
Grokk Free Love Without STD Risks! by Jerry Cantu
Completely mentally stimulating. This is the greatest science fiction novel ever written.
No Longer Giving the Brush Off by John Nesbit
Learn about the most competive baseball pitcher of all time, and find out what they REALLY say on the mound in this revealing autobiography.
Personal Account of the Montgomery Bus Strike by John Nesbit
Dr. Martin Luther King shares an insider's view of the events and people involved with the first major battle for Civil Rights in the U.S.
Retail Genitalia by David Abrams
A sanitized look at stripping, Burana's memoir doesn't take chances. It's like a girl stripping down to only her bra and panties.
This Comic Ain't So Stupid... by Chris Madsen
Jim Mahfood rolls out the first issue of Stupid Comics, which is a misnomer. Enjoy his fiery wit and strong opinionated artwork while busting a gut.
You - Yes, You - Need to Read This Book by Kim Lumpkin
In Stupid White Men, Moore mixes irreverent humor with sobering statistics to show how every serious problem we face today—war, poverty, discrimination—has been brought upon us by the greed, corruption, and short-sightedness of a minority of powerful white guys.
Nothing Sudden Here...Agonizing Death by Laurie Edwards
The factual stuff about pro tennis is the only worthwhile part of Sudden Death, and you can get that someplace else.
Baseball Like It Outta Be (Again) by John Nesbit
Perceptive account of the 1949 baseball race between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees that paints the entire era passionately
Judy Blume Grows Up by Rachel Gordon
Judy Blume transcends her normal teenage genré to portray two opposite buddies learning and growing over almost 2 decades.
A prolix jumble of fantasy fiction by Stephen Murray
It is a bad sign that someone like me who finds baseball extremely boring found the baseball parts of the novel better than much else in it!
The Super Mario Sunshine Official Strategy Guide by Mike Bracken
Another excellent game guide from BradyGames.
Keep Your Kids Healthy With Good Food by Laurie Edwards
Avoid illness and worry with Superimmunity for Kids.
What It Takes to Make a Marriage Work by Kim Lumpkin
Surrendering to Marriage is not a “how to” book; rather an exploration into successful (and a few unsuccessful) unions. It's not at all scientific, and that's a good thing; science can never truly capture the essence of something as complex and mysterious as marriage.
Bienvenida a Cuba! by Laurie Edwards
Suspicion of Rage is simply an exciting and engrossing story put together well.
Flash of the Blade by Laurie Edwards
A Tale of Two Cities is weak and contrived. This is a silly book, just plain silly.
Vignettes from the 2001 Diamondbacks by John Nesbit
Hack sports journalism that will interest baseball fans and new bandwagoning Diamondbacks fans. Cubs fans should take note also—Page reveals that a certain curse has now been removed.
That Something Even Occurs by Nita Daniel
You will be flipping through the pages of Tales of Protection for Hansen's poetic reveries and finding links and turning points that you would not have found in a single story. It's one of the most beautiful and successful works of ambitious fiction I've read.
Can Tarzan Show Jane How Monkeys Do It? by Jerry Cantu
Tarzan has been sold short in the movies made about him. He is one of the greatest characters to come out of the tewntieth century.
This is What It Means to Say Sherman Alexie by David Abrams
If Sherman Alexie falls in a forest, and there's nobody there to hear him, does he make a funny sound?
Scourge of the Humans. by Chris Madsen
What is chilling about the story is that it really feels FEASIBLE... we are, of course, hard at work at making machines more self-sentient, so the idea that something like this could happen in our future strikes a chord in me.
As Big as Texas by Laurie Edwards
Texas Rich is a wild, passionate, and always intense look at a wealthy Texas family.
This Was Never by Laurie Edwards
If your kids bring this one home from the school library, direct them to something else. Anything real will do.
Objects in the Mirror are Closer Than They Appear by David Abrams
Mark Winegardner cocks a cold, cynical eye at the way we live and the result is a bracingly funny set of short stories.
Don't Ban Huckleberry Finn from Your Local School! by John Nesbit
Over a hundred years after its first publication, Huckleberry Finn remains one of the most banned books in the United States. Is America ready for independent thinkers?
Investigation Without Easy Answers by Rachel Gordon
Emmanuel Carrere's exploration of a murderer can have you wondering just how normal the person next to you really is.
The Beast Unveiled: The Aleister Crowley Scrapbook by Mike Bracken
Interesting, yet shallow, look at one of the occult's most infamous figures.
An American Oddysey via Comic Books? by Kim Lumpkin
Chabon’s writing style reveals a keen eye for detail, which helps him recreate time and place vividly, like a film instead of a book.
How to Survive—and Thrive—in Animation by Daniel Briney
An instructional guide, and so much more, Richard Williams has given animators everywhere a truly indispensable resource.
Informative and Important--Know Thine Enemy by Laurie Edwards
Everything is footnoted and referenced, with everything attributed to the correct persons, organizations, and publications. Very interesting stuff.
Art and Techno-Dreams by Laurie Edwards
How did Klingons get to look like Klingons?
Preserving a Vanishing Art Form by Kim Lumpkin
Today, most people (myself included) don't know an aperitif from a cordial, or what a demitasse is. If you have ever bemoaned the decline of civilized behavior at meal time, this book is a godsend.
Who Killed Narrative? by Laurie Edwards
Trite, dialogue-heavy, and completely uninvolving
Baseball Legends Personified by John Nesbit
Fast-reading anthology of some of the best baseball anecdotes and biographies published.
The Ultimate Beatles Biography by Laurie Edwards
This is the authoritative study of the most famous band in history.
Strange Business From a Vanished World by Stephen Murray
A superb port-of-entry to the character-driven novels of a great writer.
Motherhood Can Be Murder by David Abrams
When was the last time you ran across a mystery sleuth pushing a stroller and wearing a blouse blotched with baby puke? Meet Juliet Applebaum—harried mom, amateur gumshoe, and completely endearing character.
Travels to Cranes by Stephen Murray
Although they have been around for at least nine million years, 13 of 15 crane species are imperilled. Peter Matthiessen reports on the prospects for protecting their habitat.
Upstairs, Downstairs by Laurie Edwards
In The Black Velvet Gown, Cookson combines her innate understanding of English life with a romance.
Bad to the Bone by Kim Lumpkin
New York police Lieutenant John Driscoll has it tough. His wife is in a coma, the result of a car accident that took the life of their daughter, and his devotion to her, not to mention his Catholic faith, prevents him from acting on his feelings for his attractive partner, Margaret
Mothers, Daughters, Ghosts by David Abrams
Better than an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet, Amy Tan's novel will fill you up, but won't leave you feeling logy from all that MSG.
Alive With the Sound of Music by David Abrams
Gayle Brandeis takes a clue from Amy Tan and comes up with a beautiful first novel about mothers and daughters.
The Murderous Desire For Love by Chris Sweet
A moving literary memoir. Taking the title from a Smiths song doesn't hurt either.
The Guide Our Moms Never Gave Us by Kim Lumpkin
Judging from the smattering of national and local news stories about female midlife crisis, as well as the mention in a recent cover article in Time magazine, Shellenbarger's book has certainly tapped into the cultural zeitgeist.
Personal African History by Laurie Edwards
This is history made personal and emotional, driven by memories. Katie Makanya was there, and her heart is in her words.
Dry Humor and Love for Young Adolescents by Laurie Edwards
The Canning Season is a lovely book, one that kids (especially girls, most likely) will enjoy immensely, and parents can be pleased their kids are reading.
The Mindset of Times Long Gone by Laurie Edwards
A review of The Cardinal doesn't do it justice. Its goodness and morality are something special in today's world, and books like this one remind us it wasn't always this bad.
Perry Mason needs Raymond Burr by Laurie Edwards
Though I hesitate to rate a show higher than the book that spawned it, in this case it's no contest; watch the old "Perry Mason" on late-night Court TV and blow off the books whence they came.
Flesh and Its Secrets by Dan Callahan
Colette's The Cat shows her distinctive mastery.
Holden Caulfield Turns 50. That kills me. by David Abrams
If you want to know the truth, it's goddam good.
You'll Smell the Smoke, Hear the Screams by David Abrams
I cannot think of another book that wrenched me inside-out like this one. O'Nan tells a true tale which stabs the heart with terror, then mends it with hope.
Finding Oneself in an Obscure Place by Stephen Murray
"People are always coming to tell me something. Never the thing I want to hear, of course...."
Better Than Chocolate-Covered Sex by David Abrams
Tim Gautreaux's lyrical novel about two brothers working a sawmill in 1920s Louisiana is an instant classic—the kind of book we'll be reading and re-reading for years to come.
The Only Authorized Coen Brothers Biography by John Nesbit
Check this out. The Coens don't allow just anyone to snap their picture. Don't expect them to smile.
Wyoming's GOT to be better than this! by Laurie Edwards
There are few things a murder mystery writer can do that is more wrong than writing up a story and tacking on the killer at the last moment just to shock everybody.
Complex Treason in France, 1945 by Stephen Murray
A somewhat gangly account of a gnarly case of treason
Excellent Source, Bad Introduction by Jerry Cantu
Excellent reference material, but novices or those with only casual interest will find it annoying at best.
The original African American mystery novel by Stephen Murray
The novel has a typically convoluted mystery plot, while bringing some of the lively quotidian reality (including numbers running and other forms of gambling) of Harlem to the page without condescension.
Travails of making sense of documents by Stephen Murray
The book is constructed as a two-act play with alternating narrators reflecting on the captured German physicists, trust, credulity, tact, historical inference, obligations of confidentiality about sources of information, the opaqueness of human motivations, metaphysical anxieties, and some very British touches of farce.
Discard Your Ideals Before Going to the Corner by Nita Daniel
The Corner offers an almost unrelentingly hopeless view of our nation's inner-city drug trade. Its players are not always sympathetic, but Burns and Simon's depiction of their stories will make you rethink your reactions to welfare, teen pregnancy, and drug use.
Jonathan Franzen’s Family Portrait: Trouble at the Table by David Abrams
The Corrections has all the intellectual heft of Infinite Jest... but warmer and fuzzier!
The Creoles of Louisiana by Laurie Edwards
Are you interested in the hows and why of the Creoles, or do you want straight history?
Charles Dickens’ Other Christmas Carol by David Abrams
If you want a change of pace from the year-in, year-out tradition of reading about Ebeneezer Scrooge, try picking up Charles Dickens' little-known Christmas Books. They're hopelessly old-fashioned, but still charming.
Breaking the Code by Laurie Edwards
Complaints aside, this is amazing scholarship and fascinating ideas, drawn together in the form of a fun-to-read novel.
Don't Let the Darkness Overcome You! by Chris Madsen
"The Darkness is the Force on crack."
Murder and psychological mayhem in the English (etc.) Department by Stephen Murray
There's a lot about the relationships of writers and publishers, as well as relationships among academics and would-be academics in addition to the corpses that seem to seek Nick out.
Bleak tale of decline and fall on the Montana plains by Stephen Murray
Award-winning Blackfeet writer James Welch specialized in showing individual dissolution and social extinction in small-town Montana.
Can a Superman die? Will we ever find out? by Chris Madsen
Superman dies. Where were you when this happened? Did you catch it on the news? Did you read about it in TIME?
Do Bears Really Have Dreams? by Laurie Edwards
If you're deeply involved in PETA or ALF or another of those organizations, you may find this tripe worthwhile, but you'll be one of the few who does.
A Tribute with Wings by Nita Daniel
The Demon and the Angel is subtle, demanding, and, yes, inspiring. Hirsch ties together artists from different diciplines, backgrounds, countries, and sensibilities to examine the mysterious forces of artistic inspiration that combines a respect, awe, and academic prowess while avoiding treacle.
The Devil in the Blue (Prada) Dress by Aly Walansky
Ok, so maybe this book about being the abused junior assistant to the grand puba of fashion isn't really fiction—but doesn't that make it more entertaining?
Little Boys Who Go Poof! by David Abrams
Horrible nasty things are out there in the big, scary world. Ursu wraps every parent's worst nightmare in fairy-tale prose and makes the surreal into something we can all identify with.
Pestilence, Putrefaction and Prostitution by David Abrams
Don't lick the pages—you'll catch cholera. That's how palpable Sheri Holman's details are in this richly-worded novel.
They Shoot Rapids, Don't They? by Dan Callahan
Elaine Dundy's The Dud Avocado is a comic classic.
Painful American Realities by Laurie Edwards
The Eagle's Shadow will tell you a lot you never wanted to have to think about America, much you need to consider, and some things that'll just make you angry.
Not What I Expected, But Good Just the Same by Laurie Edwards
Not the romance the title suggests, but an interesting look at the Great War, told by the groups who lived it.
The Delightful (If Unfortunate) Anxiety of the Elevator by Nita Daniel
The archness, wordplay, genuine likability of the children, and the imaginative twists of the predicaments of the plot make The Ersatz Elevator enjoyable for adults as well as children.
Coincidence Doesn't Equal Proof by Laurie Edwards
A string of vaguely related coincidences don't add up to historical fact.
Fact or Fiction? Who Cares? by David Abrams
Happy Birthday, Mr. Mailer! May you live to give us another gift like this Great American Un-Novel.
Trick Postcards--See Something Else by Nita Daniel
Every ordinary person is a universe. Each universe is so complete in its own motivations and hurts, that it's easy to forget the complexity of the whole until the universes collide.
Excellent Addition to the Darkover Cult by Laurie Edwards
It has everything that made the collection great: battle, romance, magic, and a strange feudal world. It's good to know Bradley's work continues without her this well.
Fateful Changes and an Uncertain Future by Kim Lumpkin
Gerges basically tears apart the notion that jihadis are unified in their vision and all seek the destruction of the U.S.; most of them believe it is more important to focus on the “near enemy”
The Sequel's Even Better Than the First Book! by Laurie Edwards
A Feast of Roses is even better than its prequel, worth taking a couple of days off work just to read it.
What's Elvish for "This is Fabulous"? by Laurie Edwards
There are good fantasy books and bad ones, but none have the strength and vision of Tolkien's work.
Immortalizing Deserved Talent by Rachel Gordon
With the release of the movie version, another generation gets hooked.
Exciting Disease by Laurie Edwards
This could've been dull-ass medical textbook stuff, but Honigsbaum brings it to life with exciting stories of jungles, legends, and the only drug we have even today to treat malaria.
Examining an American Auteur by Mike Bracken
Carpenter has never gotten the critical respect he deserves—until now.
A Fisherman's Catch by Jerry Cantu
This collection is one any fisherman is sure to enjoy. Ian Frazier lets you know about the big ones that got away, but is humble enough to mention the trips where he didn't catch a thing.
Sentimental Life Journey by Kim Lumpkin
Albom's novella definitely plays shamelessly on the basic human desire to believe that our lives have meaning, and that after we die we will find out what it is. Yet, while I wouldn't consider it a life-changing book, it does have its charms.
No Romance, No Story—Not Even Decent Sex! by Laurie Edwards
There's absolutely no pleasure in The Flower and the Sword. It's not historical anything, and it's full of cutout characters and situations.
The Sound of One Hand Clapping by David Abrams
The Fourth Hand’s epigraph, which comes from Stuart Little, reads: “A person who is looking for something doesn’t travel very fast.” Unfortunately, in this book’s quest for meaning, Mr. Irving travels at the speed of slight.
Lonesome Love by David Abrams
Two men and a woman carve a love triangle out of the geology of Wyoming. Simply put: an instant classic in contemporary Western literature.
An Entertaining and Insightful Literary Feast by Kim Lumpkin
As the author herself explained at a reading I was privileged to attend, the title comes from the idea that it was early man's hunger that inspired him to find new foods to eat and new ways to prepare them. This kind of hunger-driven ingenuity can be applied to other things as well, and each of the characters in these stories is trying to find her own “genius” to satisfy the hunger of her soul.
Science, Wishful Thinking, and the Search for Lost Species by Stephen Murray
As bleak as are the prospects for slowing down the loss of biodiversity, Weidensaul's book provides armchair travelers and armchair naturalists a splendid read.
Characteristic late-King Weakness by Laurie Edwards
King isn't as strong as once he was, and The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is a perfect example of what's wrong with his writing these days.
Stephen King and the Big, Dark, Scary Woods by David Abrams
The serious and scary halves of King merge into a gripping, enthralling tale that taps into the primal fear in all of us.
Turn Your Computer OFF! by Laurie Edwards
Seldom do I find an entirely worthless book, but I've sure found one here. The half-star is a gift.
Chronicling Baseball's Early History by John Nesbit
Fun read that is like sitting down with your grandpa to hear about the old days (if he played with the likes of Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner)
A Strange Sport in a Great Book by Laurie Edwards
Boxing seems to create almost a self-imposed Stockholm Syndrome. Robert Anasi finally escaped his captor and explains how it all happened.
"Particle" Men by Kim Lumpkin
As suspenseful as a Hollywood blockbuster, but also intellectually and philosophically intriguing as well, The God Particle just may be a perfect summer book. Inspired by an actual article about physics and the “God Particle,” Cox's work combines science, religion, and intrigue into one entertaining mix.
Betrayal by Dan Callahan
The regularly re-discovered The Good Soldier is a novelist's novel.
Scott Aaron Stine's The Gorehound's Guide to Splatter Films of the 1960s and 1970s by Mike Bracken
An indispensable guide for fans of extremely graphic cinema.
A Bitter Tale of Bitter Failures by Laurie Edwards
The tone of The Gravest Show on Earth—anger, disappointment, cynicism—is the same as ...And the Band Played On, but the scope is much wider.
Turned Up to the Light From the Screen by Marty Brown
With time, The Great Movies will likely characterize our perception of Roger Ebert as much as Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung characterizes the late Lester Bangs.
Christian Inspiration for Success by John Nesbit
How badly do you want to change your life? This book MAY hold the key ...
Time, See What Has Become of Him by Daniel Briney
As Tycho struggles to unravel the mystery of what is going wrong with his future, his own present reality begins to change as well.
The Liberal Impulse In Comic Books- It Started Here by Daniel Reifferscheid
Deciding that a radical re-vamp was needed, O' Neal gave Green Lantern a sidekick/counterpoint in the form of the highly liberal Green Arrow and had the both of them embark on a Kerouacian quest to “find the real America."
Longer than a Mile...It's Gotta Be... by Laurie Edwards
The Green Mile is a decent short story trapped in a blimp.
Movin' and Shakin' in Uptown Culture During the Roaring 20's by Stephen Murray
Watson explains something of the socioeconomic bases as well as the inter-relations of white patrons (buyers of books and magazines as well as those providing cash subsidies to chosen artists), the themes of Harlem Renaissance work, and more. And he does it in 180 pages, of which I estimate a third are pictures.
Insanity From a Distance by Laurie Edwards
There are several other books, both fiction and non, that offer a more deeply felt and complete story of severe mental illness. Grab a copy of Sybil and reread it instead.
How Many Roads Must I Travel? by Jerry Cantu
The mice have come, the dolphins are gone, and all I'm stuck with is this lousy tee-shirt. Pack your towel, you're in for the ride of your life.
John Charles' The Hong Kong Filmography, 1977-1997 by Mike Bracken
The definitive guide to Hong Kong cinema.
A Slam-Bam Noir Novel by David Abrams
As grim, gritty and gutsy as classics by Jim Thompson and James M. Cain, Phillips has written a screw-tight story full of dames, booze and murder.
Who Are You, Really? by Kim Lumpkin
In a society such as ours that prizes individualism and unlimited opportunity, Ackerman's book may be a tough sell, but if you stick with it, he does make some good sense, and he breaks things down into a series of simple yet profound questions
Oh Helen, How Should I Spank Thee? by Jerry Cantu
Only read The Iliad if you're going to read The Odyssey too. Together, they're great reading but alone, The Iliad is a bore.
At Last, Some Common Sense About Healing Our Minds Through Our Bodies by Kim Lumpkin
In Schrieber's new book, he teaches how the body can work to heal a suffering mind. While not the first to do so, it is refreshingly free of new age-y jargon.
Are You an "Innie"? by Kim Lumpkin
An introvert herself, Laney uses a kid glove approach to help others like her develop strategies to best manage their introversion, not fight against it, and to teach them how to communicate to others that there is nothing wrong with being an introvert.
His Brothers' Keeper by Kim Lumpkin
The Iron Road is so much more than the story of one man's struggle to find purpose and meaning in his life and much more than an account of his righteous indignation at the injustice in Burma. It is also a study of what to do once that purpose and righteous anger are found.
Solidarity against the evil of Burma's military junta by Stephen Murray
"It was the first time in my life I felt I had been able to make a difference."
"The devil goes round and round and beats us all into the ground" by Stephen Murray
Dürrenmatt's detective novels "show that the ordinary detective story's belief in rationality is itself irrational" and in much of his writing for the stage, too "reality is unfathomable and defies calculation." Planning in Dürrenmatt generally runs aground on unexpected coincidences...
Creative Writing 101 by Laurie Edwards
As somebody's writing project for college, The Juror might be worth a C; as a novel released on an unsuspecting reading public, it's 2 stars at best.
A LIttle Reminder of the Important People by Laurie Edwards
The illustrations aren't too good, but the story is so warm and loving, I recommend this one anyway.
The Painful Beauty of Everyday Triumph and Tragedies by Kim Lumpkin
Certain writers are the kinds of people you are almost afraid to meet because their observances about people are so keen that it makes you self-conscious wondering what they are noticing about you.
The Klan in Black and White by Laurie Edwards
Don't judge this book by its cover; The Klansman is a fascinating and honest look back at the KKK from black and white perspective.
Playing College Basketball Competitively for the Pure Joy by John Nesbit
Most major colleges and universities either have become basketball factories or seek profits from their athletes. This is an intimate story about a collegiate conference that truly retains its pure amateur status.
Early '80s chic served wry in retrospect by Stephen Murray
"Opposites attract," they say—and it's true. Scoundrels are forever being smitten with angels, and vice versa, and if such terms are objectionable, replace them with the secular equivalent, but it's still true.
Escape and Fake It by Laurie Edwards
While Gordon avoids blaming the whole Church for the failings of a handful of fanatics, he fails to explain why the Holy Inquisition came to be, instead falling back on the usual tactic of blackwashing the whole organization. That's the only real downside to The Last Jew, an exciting novel of the sole remaing Jew in Spain.
A Harlequin Romance Worth Reading by Laurie Edwards
Take all the negatives you know about Harlequin Romances and chuck them out. This one is worth reading.
Better Never than The Late Child by Laurie Edwards
There's a good reason The Late Child is unknown. Help keep it that way.
BradyGames Hits a Homerun with the Zelda: The Wind Waker Strategy Guide by Mike Bracken
Best strategy guide ever? It could be...
Focus Tight & Pull No Punches by Nita Daniel
If all authors of memoir took a cue from Mary Karr, the genré would not be the miserable hit-or-miss pile that it currently is. Keep in mind when you read, that the best lie is one you tell about yourself or your family and, as this ultimately memoir reveals, the most effective lies are ones of omission.
The Ruling Gnome of American Lingustics and Rebel Exiles by Stephen Murray
A fascinating tale of ambition and animus that makes the linguistic analyses (and antics) of a bygone day accessible to non-linguists.
The Summer I Discovered Narnia by David Abrams
The best—simply the best!—literature ever written for both children and adults.
Plans and Preparation by Laurie Edwards
This is nasty fantasy fodder—who even wants to think about this stuff?—but it's necessary, and The Living Trust makes settling your affairs easy and interesting.
Hardworking, Private People by Laurie Edwards
Linda Greenlaw isn't into scandal and dark secrets. She's into her work and the soul of the island she loves.
Thinly-Veiled Citadel by Laurie Edwards
The Citadel disowned Conroy because his fictional academy is lifted from his alma mater, and his story about it isn't pretty.
Afternoons and Coffeespoons by Tony Pellum
T. S. Eliot employs numerous rhetorical devices to illustrate Prufrock's helpless and inferior view of himself. His insecurity and cowardice heighten until he accepts his death of any effort towards romantic action.
Identity- and community-building among gay Asian/Pacific Angeleños by Stephen Murray
I am glad to have the multiple perspectives Wat elicited, transcribed, and included in a path-breaking study that is a significant contribution to gay studies and Asian-American studies.
Blessed are the Cheesemakers by David Abrams
"We hold these cheeses to be self-evident..." One thing's evident: Sheri Holman has written a grand, glorious stew of a novel.
The Story of a Man and an Industry by Kim Lumpkin
Few industries have been characterized by such extremes of rapid growth and decline as the computer industry, and, as Leslie Berlin's comprehensive biography demonstrates, the life of Robert Noyce encapsulates these extremes better than anyone else's.
You Wish You Could Eat Everything Too by Nita Daniel
The only requirement for enjoying The Man Who Ate Everything is recognizing the pleasures of food and eating. You don't need to be a gourmet. Jeffrey Steingarten doesn't want the high road; he wants excellence.
Regrets of a hard-working cold fish by Stephen Murray
"Spendidly conceived and composed by a writer who is himself a master of his art," as Shirley Hazzard put it.
Change Isn't Always for the Better by Jerry Cantu
What a short, strange trip this is!
One Little Indian Boy by Kim Lumpkin
Udall has been compared most often to John Irving; he has a similar talent for conveying the dark humor in horrible events without losing their emotional resonance.
Second Novel Blues by Stephen Murray
Classic second-novel letdown makes The Mistress less than A Parisian from Kansas—and less than it could have been.
The Reality of Horror by Aly Walansky
The Moth Diaries by Rachel Klein is an incredibly dark story about the events at a New England private all-girls school during a one year period in the 1960s. Told through diary entries of one student, the question is, how much happened...and how much did she imagine?
Public Pranks by Laurie Edwards
Alex Boese has a weird hobby—relating other people's fakes and the innocence of those who believe in them—but you'll find yourself drawn into the game within a couple of pages.
Growing Up in the Pitts by Rachel Gordon
Michael Chabon's first novel is a testament to the evolving talent that made Wonder Boys so popular.
I'm Jaded... by Laurie Edwards
I've read and seen too many Holocaust stories where the protagonist didn't survive to be truly horrified by this whining.
Wanna Be Like Mike..or Bird...or Kareem? by Laurie Edwards
First-class books about the NBA shine, and The NBA at 50 is such a book.
Would You Stick Your Kid With These Names? by Laurie Edwards
The New Age Baby Name Book is little too far-fetched for me to use it to look for names for my children, but it's well-presented. If there's a new baby in your future, check this one out and see if anything strikes your fancy.
The Human Brain: For Better or Worse, Increasingly Under Our Control by Kim Lumpkin
What if modern technology is not only influencing our behaviors but modifying the very structures of our brains as well? And how much of our “real” personalities, with all of their flaws, do we want to alter with medication? These are some of the fascinating questions Restak explores in his book.
Fun Facts For Trekkers by Laurie Edwards
The best thing about this book is how well-presented the information is. It's clear, nicely arranged, and easily referenced.
John McCarty's The Official Splatter Movie Guide by Mike Bracken
A useful guide—if your idea of horror films doesn't stray too far from the mainstream.
One Writer's Ending, One Reader's Beginning by David Abrams
The crowning achievement of Eudora Welty's long career, this is a thoughtful and occasionally funny look at family and love.
The Day Hitler Narrowly Dodged the Bullet by David Abrams
Historian Terry Parssinen has written history with the electric pen of fiction as he tells the nerve-jangling story of a failed attempt to assassinate Hitler.
Why Scotty Ain't Beaming Up Nobody by Dave Edwards
How much of Gene Roddenberry's imagination might one day become real?
The Most Beautiful Book I've Ever Read by Laurie Edwards
This is as lovely a book as has ever been written.
The More Things Change... by Kim Lumpkin
Tired of a rogue Arab nation holding his country financially hostage, the U.S. President authorizes a mission to overthrow the government, led by a stubborn, patriotic man who was court-martialed from the army and eager to redeem himself.
Kidd Hunted! by Chris Madsen
Run up th' skull an' crossbones! Bring dem cannons ta port! Arrrrr, mateys, there be our target, now avast ye landlubbers, stand ready and board! Captain Kidd's story is told....
Small Book, Big Ideas by Kim Lumpkin
Reading the description in the book jacket, which proudly declares the book “free of political correctness of any stripe,” I was afraid this would be an over-the-top “America: Love it or Leave It” manifesto.
Herbal Delights by Heather Marie Harris
A natural and personable approach to herbal gardening and tasty culinary endeavors.
Elegaic and often hilarious long stories by Stephen Murray
Read it and weep, even while laughing and cringing at human cruelty.
A Pro in the ranks of Superheroes!! Great Scott! by Chris Madsen
The Pro strikes fear in the hearts of customers looking for a hooker...or perhaps not. This book is quite raunchy, yet it's a very entertaining read with a surprising twist at the end to make us rethink our views on humankind, whether we're on Wall Street or the corner of Main and Perez.....
The OED Made Festive by Laurie Edwards
This is a quiet success, but it's one that deserves many readers.
Touchy-Feely-Ooohy-Gooey by Laurie Edwards
A weed high with good munchies
The Punch that Changed the League by Laurie Edwards
The NBA's tried to forget the night Kermit Washinton nearly killed Rudy Tomjanovich with one punch. John Feinstein refreshes the memory with well-written bios, interviews, and pictures.
Aliens Are Riding You From Behind by Jerry Cantu
This early Heinlein novel gives a glimpse of what would come in later books. This is considered a sci/fi classic, but it falls short of its potential.
Reluctant Socialite Gets A Reality Check by Heather Marie Harris
A tale of one woman's mysterious past coming to light and her eventual journey to self-discovery and love anew.
She's Sold Her Heritage by Laurie Edwards
Elizabeth II commands less respect than any of her predecessors, but that's her own fault. She has chosen to reign but not rule.
Ice picks in the Brain by David Abrams
The last, haunting novel from a writer who has fueled thousands of teenage nightmares.
A Novel with a Corkscrew Punch by David Abrams
As he did in Chang and Eng, Darin Strauss betrays a fascination in the half-celebrities who lurk at the fringes of our society.
Thin and Disappointing Squandering of Interesting Story by Stephen Murray
The way Adair writes is annoyingly inflated. Even more annoying is that he was onto a good story and gained co-operation of the sister of the title character, yet did so little with the story.
The Worst Badge To Own by Jerry Cantu
This is the greatest war novel of the 19th century.
The Right Words from the Right People by Laurie Edwards
Marlo Thomas has let these people speak their hearts without interfering, and the result is a book that should be required reading for anyone who believes it's impossible to become successful anymore.
Regrets and Rolling Dice for Souls by Jerry Cantu
One of the greatest sea-faring tales ever told, with wonderful poetry that will even have the children interested.
Where's The Punch Line? by Jerry Cantu
Entertaining, but ultimately falls flat. This should be a great read, but the rush job at the end sells this it short. One can only hope that this is re-written, or that Idle learns from his past mistakes for his next novel. He is on the verge of writing something great, but must get past the mistakes of this novel.
Hanging Out With Daddy's Friends by Laurie Edwards
The Stones become saints of rock in this loving portrait of them on the road. They're saints BECAUSE their sins are so entertaining.
Friends for Life by Laurie Edwards
The Room-Mating Season is easy to get into, fun to read, and a winner all the way around.
Choosing Freedom over Slavery by John Nesbit
Eighty-two page book promoting the acheivement of economic freedom, using Slavery as the metaphor.
Shit Gets Slung Everywhere! by Laurie Edwards
Kelley spoke to every disgruntled former employee of the Palace. They're making cash telling secrets they know. Avoid this shit.
Did The Bible's Most Hated Man Get a Bum Rap? by Kim Lumpkin
An informative “behind the scenes” look at how Gospel of Judas made it from discovery to its long overdue revelation in the media.
Is Sex the Problem? by Kim Lumpkin
Some of the main points Davis, a popular marriage therapist, makes in this book are that we can't just assume that “normal” men always want sex (a very common myth) or that people with low sex drives want to be that way. Hers is a welcome bit of no-frills reason in a society both obsessed with and afraid to talk about sex.
The Funniest Writer You've Never Read by David Abrams
Sometimes there's just nothing as satisfying as shooting a gun in the house...unless you're reading Lewis Nordan, of course. Then, the satisfaction is sublime.
Carrier Shouts "J' Accuse!" for the Crew by Laurie Edwards
Carrier doesn't speculate, and he certainly doesn't state categorically what must have gone on. He offers several possibilities (a rouge wave, the ship suffered a catastrophic break, she rolled and was unable to right herself, etc.), discussing each ugly choice with a first-rate knowledge of how these things happen.
Understanding the Many Faces of Shyness by Kim Lumpkin
Whether you fit the classically shy silent image, or express your shyness and insecurity by babbling uncontrollably, or a little of both depending on the situation (like me), shyness can be extremely frustrating
On the Tongues of Catholics by Stephen Murray
An Irish writer examines the exaltations, boredoms, and legacies of the Catholicism from which he has lapsed.
A Classic Delayed is Justice Denied by Laurie Edwards
These are the stories J.R.R. Tolkien wanted to tell, the most impressive fruit of his fertile imagination.
Divorced, Beheaded, Died—Divorced, Beheaded, Survived by Laurie Edwards
I don't understand the reasoning behind the way this book is written. The real history of Henry VIII is fascinating enough.
Sex, Murder and Mayhem... by Heather Marie Harris
An alluring tale of deceit, murder, and betrayal, set in a fictional college.
A Book of Great Faith by Laurie Edwards
The Song of Bernardette will tug at your heartstrings until they snap and you cry all over yourself. Reserve a few quiet afternoons and read it.
The Song Tells the Story by Laurie Edwards
The Song Reader is just a spectacular novel, fulfilling all the requirements for such a designation: It's surprising, funny, sad, easy to get into, well-plotted, original, and rich in its characters.
The Final Frontier is Closer Than You Think by Kim Lumpkin
The Space Tourist's Handbook Co-authors Eric Anderson, who is the CEO of a company called Space Adventures, and Joshua Piven, who co-wrote The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook, see space tourism as the best hope for funding future funding of space programs, and have made this book as practical and realistic a guide as possible.
Beauty and Emotion in Pictures by Laurie Edwards
This is the most beautiful book of photgraphs I've ever seen.
What Spirituality Means To These Chicks by Rian Montgomery
Here is a new perspective on Spirituality, how you can embrace it and live life to its fullest.
Richard Laymon's The Stake by Mike Bracken
Another solid pulp novel from the late Richard Laymon. If graphic and gory B-movie style horror fiction is your thing, then The Stake is worth reading.
Obsession by Laurie Edwards
This woman can't even own her own life and death. The Story of O is a fascinating and frightening morality tale.
Fear not! This Sum is more than you can arrive at! by Chris Madsen
Can Jack Ryan hold his own life together while trying to gather intelligence on the terrorists who are set on returning the world to the Cold War? Read and find out....
An Excellent Cold War-era Spy Novel by Laurie Edwards
DeMille's book holds up, even though the political situation that spawned it disappeared years ago.
Following Up on the Summer of 49 by John Nesbit
The Teammates is much more than a baseball book. It's about human beings and the bonds that forge deep friendships.
Women Take Care of Everybody. Here's Why. by Laurie Edwards
Women are bio-programmed to tend people they care about.
Articulating Youthful Difficulty by Rachel Gordon
Taliesin Jones is the kind of young protagonist we all root for as he juggles the hardships of adolescence.
The Missing LInk? by Kim Lumpkin
The relationship between losing weight and changing behavior is a part of every diet plan, but there is obviously more to it, or there wouldn't be a new fad diet every six months or so.
The Sight and Smell of Depravity by Jerry Cantu
If you want to know how far humanity can fall, this is the novel for you.
When Everyone Says There's Nothing Wrong With You, and You Know They're Wrong by Kim Lumpkin
In this book, Dr. Edelberg explains three factors that, when combined, can leave a woman barely able to function, and, if left unaddressed, can lead to even more serious conditions.
For Serious Students Only by Kim Lumpkin
This book won’t inspire a slacker to straighten up and fly right, but that is not the purpose here. This book is for students who are already highly motivated and need to put into motion the often overwhelming process of applying to college.
Where Does Caesar Hide The Hot Dog? by Jerry Cantu
This is the best scandal material ever written. The tabloids of today don't even come close to matching the scandals of the Roman era. Pick up your copy and read all about it! Clinton may have stained a dress, Caligula would stain his three sisters in an evening.
Compelling History and Romance in India by Laurie Edwards
Nur Jahan was lovely, intelligent, and much loved by her husband, who made it possible for her to do things woman of her time and place simply couldn't do.
Even the Weakest is Strong! by Laurie Edwards
The Two Towers is great fun (following and leading to great literature), and it's necessary to get the whole story.
Two Footbridges before the Finale by John Nesbit
Although the narrative structure is uneven, Tolkien fans will be required to read this transition before the final book. The best parts occur late and involve Frodo, Samwise, and Gollum.
Adventurous Cooks Wanted by Heather Marie Harris
Weinstein offers a collection of over five hundred recipes for those with an insatiable sweet tooth.
Viva La Revolucion! by Jerry Cantu
For far too long, my compadres, we have been used and cast aside when our hides were of no longer any use.
Say "cunt" Without Flinching by Rachel Gordon
What started out as simple interviews has ended up a cultural phenomenon, and with good reason.
Jeez, Put a Stake In It Already! by Laurie Edwards
You've read this story a few times already. You don't need to read it again.
The Very Unimpressed Parent by Heather Marie Harris
This tepid tale of a determined little spider fails to impress like its predecessor, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, did.
A Bug's Life by Heather Marie Harris
A charming and educational tale of a gluttonous caterpillar, detailing his emergence into adulthood.
Dirty Laundry by Kim Lumpkin
Money laundering probably doesn't rank too highly among the concerns of most Americans just trying to make it through their daily lives, but they affect our lives in significant ways, by undermining the economy and even threatening national security.
A visit disappointing both hosts and guests by Stephen Murray
"What book do you want to write?" "You say it as if it already exists, and it's just a matter of writing it." "That's how it should be."
Stalking the Sonora Desert a century ago by Stephen Murray
"They laugh a great deal and when together are quite merry and keep up a constant stream of talk. The chiefs evidently have little control over those below them."
Unreality, Evil, and a Lost Cat by Nita Daniel
Haruki Murakami blends excellent characterization, history, a battle for evil, and a lost cat into an excellent and absorbing novel. It's a book that deserves an audience beyond fans of Japanese fiction and literary fiction. You'll be hooked by the third chapter.
A Winner, For Sure by Laurie Edwards
This is genré writing at its best. Baldacci combines narrative and dialogue brilliantly to create moods and action enough to impress the most addicted Tom Clancy fan.
Puritan Hottie by Laurie Edwards
This is serious scholarship, with primary sources cited and a lot of direct quotes, but it's also an easy read and a great romance.
Bewitching Tale for Young Adolescents by Laurie Edwards
Any girl between the ages of, say, ten and fourteen will love this one.
Science? Psychology? Religion? by Laurie Edwards
Avoid this as you would the plague.
How to get your ass killed by the Taliban by Jerry Cantu
Since September 11th, this is nothing but a book about how to prolong your life for a few minutes more. In this short time, it's become dated—and amazingly unfunny.
The personal costs of living in "interesting times" by Stephen Murray
The Write Way Home is a relatively straightforward memoir of a life heavily impacted both in Cuba and in the United States by the overthrow of the Batista regime and the subsequent Castro dictatorship.
Getting the Year off to a Good Start by Kim Lumpkin
Astrologers are like critics; you may not believe in all of them, but most people can find at least one they usually agree with and stick to. And if the number of people who trust an astrologer is any indication, Susan Miller is at the top of the field.
Peter Dendle's Zombie Movie Encyclopedia by Mike Bracken
Essential reading for fans of horror films in general and zombie films in particular.
From the Top to the Bottom and Back by Laurie Edwards
You must love professional basketball to want to read about George Karl. With that caveat, I highly recommend his book.
Is Yellow Good? by Tony Pellum
Pascal states that people give the universe qualities and categories that are all essentially the same because, while humans can only perceive a small amount of information about the world, there is no hierarchy of knowledge. Since there is no understanding within the world, we must have faith that there are answers that we cannot understand.
Irresistable Chick Book by Laurie Edwards
This book will get inside you. Full of feeling and a sort of desperate honesty, it's simply perfect from first page to last.
Inside an Analytical Baseball Mind by John Nesbit
Tony La Russa always hunkers down in his "foxhole" during baseball games. Just what is he thinking? Bissinger's well crafted books tells us with enjoyable flair.
Deep Time by Kathleen Diehl
Using tradition to great effect in this novel of paleontology and monsters, Kiernan is a star of horror in the 21st century.
A Novel of Deep Time by Shannon W. Hennessy
A modern, chthonic vision that will harrow its reader long after the book is placed safely on the shelf.
Thundercats HO! by Chris Madsen
Thunder...Thunder...THUNDERCATS, HO! Sword of Omens, give me sight beyond sight! Yes, I see—the Thundercats are back!
Unrequited inter-cultural love high in the Himalayas by Stephen Murray
Aside from being an entertaining tale of travel and its banes— surviving illness and uncomfortable transportation and fighting obtuse bureaucrats—Klieger's book shows what it is like to be semi-absorbed into a Tibetan family and vied for by potential patronage beneficiaries.
Late blooms by Stephen Murray
She may make readers cry, but her narrators can convey heartbreaking details without seeming to flinch, let alone cry.
Understanding Inner Baseball by John Nesbit
Have you ever wondered what they talk about on the mound? McCarver reveals this in the most intelligent baseball book on the market.
Runny doggie poo by Stephen Murray
Mr. Bones had lived long enough to know that anything was possible, that impossible things happened all the time.
Songs in the Key of Life by David Abrams
This is Richard Powers' most accessible novel. That doesn't mean it's easy reading; it's long, complex, but ultimately beautiful as a thousand-voiced opera.
Let's Do the Time Warp Again by David Abrams
Imagine Sherman and Peabody embroiled in a love story. No, this time-travel novel is nothing like that. I just wanted you to imagine that scenario.
John Steinbeck's apprenticeship to D. H. Lawrence by Stephen Murray
Burton does not doubt that he is an agent of The Lord despite the lack of allies, and Joseph is equally sure that he recognizes the magic of springs and trees, stones and earth.
Back When Teaching Was Honorable by Laurie Edwards
To Serve Them All My Days is one of the three best novels about teaching ever written.
Celebrating a Beautiful Partnership by Kim Lumpkin
This book is Klugman's attempt to both document their close friendship and ensure that Randall's efforts did not go in vain. In anyone else's hands, this book might have been a sappy, self-congratulatory exercise, but Klugman's sincerity and lack of typical show biz gloss makes it a very moving, down-to-earth memoir.
What Frances Mayes Won't Tell You by J.K. Kelley
Tuscany should be called Touristcany. Or should it?
A Local Classic With Something For Everyone by Kim Lumpkin
Tourist Season, one of Hiaasen's early novels that helped put him (and South Florida) on the literary map, is every bit as loud and outrageous as its South Florida setting. He takes all of the clichés of the tropical paradise image of Florida and turns them upside down, making them dark and deadly.
Trash with Depth by Laurie Edwards
Excellent job by Bushnell in doing two things few authors have managed: writing realistically from inside a character's mind, and making an entirely negative character so sympathetic that you hope she wins.
Jaded Sex in the Same Ol' City by Aly Walansky
Candace Bushnell keeps reinventing the same character over and over. This time, she's written even more shallow and self-involved than ever and depicts the darker city of New York City's rich and famous.
Fall Down, Go Boom by Dave Edwards
Mutated Autobots, backstabbing Decepticons, super-powered humans, and manipulating gods...oh, and Unicron's still going to eat them!
This is the End of the Road, Galvatron by Dave Edwards
Just because Unicron's dead doesn't mean the fun is over for the Transformers.
Transformers: Gorefest by Dave Edwards
It's just like the Transformers you grew up with, only with lots of gratuitous blood and killing and profanity and plagiarism.
The Hunt for Green Restorer by Dave Edwards
Can the Autobots recover the Creation Matrix to restore their wounded troops, or will Unicron show up first and eat them all?
Time-Traveling Transformers in Movie-Inspired Madness! by Dave Edwards
Super-futuristic Transformers from the far-away year 2006 come back to modern-day 1986 to wreak havoc!
A dauntingly complex novel that is easier to admire than to like by Stephen Murray
The book seems to begin in Jane Austen country, but by the end Hazzard's forerunner seems far more ancient: Sophocles.
A Victorian Treasure by Jerry Cantu
All hands aboard for the greatest pirate novel ever written!
Voices Raised to the Moon Howl the Battle Cry... by Shannon W. Hennessy
A refreshing look at the Fianna that helps flesh the tribe out as werewolves of legend, renown and power—a force to be reckoned with—rather than two-dimensional, leprechaunesque charicatures.
Sports Fans are Funny Folks by John Nesbit
Why are certain sports fans destined to root forever for perennial losing teams like the Cubs, Red Sox, and White Sox?
Among the gangbangers by Stephen Murray
Having been taken places I didn't think that I wanted to go by earlier Mark Salzman books, I should trust that he's going to make interesting wherever his writing goes and just get on board without checking for announced destinations.
Definitive Truffaut Biography by John Nesbit
Required reading for cinema lovers, Truffaut is not your normal biographical portrait. This deals intimately with the complex director who was a miserable child, an adulterous man, and a brilliant filmmaker.
A Love-Hate Relationship—but How Can You Hate Yourself? by Laurie Edwards
Two To Conquer is an exciting book, with something new happening on every page. Grab a copy, and prepare to want to buy all the books in the series.
Never Give Up by Laurie Edwards
Unclaimed Destiny is a quick read, as effortlessly commanding attention on the page as its author once did in the ring.
Bad Writing, Bad Politics by Laurie Edwards
What does this novel stand for? Clearly, Mrs. Stowe disapproved of slavery—the "peculiar institution" is written as inherently evil.
So Many Jews, So Little Effort by Laurie Edwards
I'd like to believe Under His Very Windows is written by a bitter descendent of concentration camp victims. Not possible, sad to say.
Killing in the name of Faith by Dainon Moody
Krakauer is a gifted storyteller, and his previous books qualify that in spades. Which is exactly what his book ends up being: a story.
The Marlboro Man Finds His Heart by David Abrams
In his newest novel, Mark Spragg continues to build his reputation as the West's best living fiction writer
Looking for Love in a Commitment-Free Culture by Kim Lumpkin
It is often hard for us to admit how much we are influenced by the culture that surrounds us. After all, we like to think that we alone are in control of the decisions we make.
It's All About Empowerment by Kim Lumpkin
Kersey's approach is immensely practical. She doesn't just spout the familiar idea that whether we view the world from an optimistic or pessimistic viewpoint can affect what happens to us; she acknowledges that some people are simply “pessimists by nature,” and offers advice on how to break that habit.
A novel of paranoiacs with real enemies by Stephen Murray
The title well reflects Bowles's general detachment. He wrote about Americans abroad more as a natural historian than as an autobiographer.
Mauldin's War by Daniel Briney
Willie and Joe's tour of duty, in all its humor and misery. A classic from a great cartoonist.
Goat's Head Holocaust for Kids by Laurie Edwards
Upon the Head of the Goat does something special; it offers innocence.
Family and Friends Combined by Laurie Edwards
Ethan Watters has managed to put a ton of surprising and often amusing social knowledge into a slim volume, skipping from subject to subject within the framework of the Tribe lifestyle.
Holocaust, Pt.2- Alan Moore’s astonishing masterpiece by Daniel Reifferscheid
There are moments here that cut as deeply and as violently as has any piece of popular culture made in the 20th century.
Thackeray's Famous Puppet Show by Dan Callahan
Becky Sharp is Ambition Incarnate in Thackeray's panorama of England in the Nineteenth Century
Last Great Battle in the War to End All Wars by Laurie Edwards
It's a hefty volume, but though it takes some time and mental strength, Verdun is a book everyone should struggle through. It can happen again, and books like this remind us why it shouldn't.
The Beauty of Small-Town Art by Laurie Edwards
Vermeer and the Delft School is the finest art study I've ever seen.
Would you damn your soul to find the answers you desperately seek? by Chris Madsen
Regina Blake, the charming and dashing subject of this book, is torn between love for her family, her fiance, and the quest to uncover the dark hidden truths behind her mother's past....but will she find the answers she seeks without losing her soul in the process?
Violent Tendencies of Job and Jeremiah by Chris Madsen
Dan Shewman sums it up best: "Jean Paul Sartre meets Frank Miller."
Outstanding film book about Tibet and Tibetophiles by Stephen Murray
Schell writes with a mixture of compassion and irony, and what seems to me the right amount of subjectivity.
Prurient Chastity in Japan a Century Ago by Stephen Murray
Perverse in unexpected ways, providing as much puzzlement as documentation, especially the lack of sexual desire in a book supposed to explore sexual desire
Never Give A Reader An Even Break by Dan Callahan
A new biography of W.C. Fields is not a gift.
Prostitutes and the Gold Rush by Laurie Edwards
In California, Dana Fuller Ross offers a chunk of Western realism, mixed with a chaste-but-hot romance you can believe in.
Regaining Perspective on Life by John Nesbit
Thoreau's thoughts are eternal and can renew the heart and soul. (You may want to skim through the construction details.)
The High Life by Kim Lumpkin
The world of mountain climbing enthusiasts is one most people don't give much thought to, as it requires a level of mental and physical endurance that few of us possess. Experienced climber and traveler Jeff Long does a masterful job of capturing not only what it is like to scale steep heights without much more than one's own strength and wits.
Wild Women! by Laurie Edwards
Lady Antonia is a decent historian and a romantic novelist as well. Warrior Queens is a combination of the two genrés.
Mrs. Boggs Goes to Washington ... by Laurie Edwards
Lindy Boggs is a reminder that women can be tough and successful politicians and still be gracious, feminine ladies.
An Indespensable Biography by Laurie Edwards
This is both scholarly and fun; Flexner writes of the first president as a human, rather than as the grumpy face on the dollar bill.
Not a Typical Graphic Novel by Chris Madsen
Who watches the Watchmen? Despite some minor quibbles with coloration, this is as fine a crime-suspense graphic novel as has yet been written.
Swimming in the Deep End by David Abrams
Richard Chiappone writes short stories of men and women with hard, desperate lives. The writing is so gritty, so genuine, you can smell the forklift exhaust in one guy's hair.
They're Just Like Us, Only With Floppy Ears by Laurie Edwards
Buy two copies—a cheapo paperback to dog-ear and carry around, and a nice leather-bound edition to do your bookcase proud.
Growing up witty and gay in Buffalo, class of 1976 by Stephen Murray
Stand-up comic Bob Smith takes on some heavy stuff, not least his forebearers. There is a lot of acute analysis of his family and the Buffalo, New York milieu in which he grew up, and only sporadic cuteness
Kids can Enjoy Learning History! by Laurie Edwards
This is the best history book for kids—and adults will enjoy it too.
The Storyteller's Best Friend by Shannon W. Hennessy
While a little rushed in a couple of places, this is a very handy tool for both experienced and rookie STs alike.
A Balancing Act Much Unnoticed by Jerry Cantu
Afghanistan was ignored by the world, and the result was disaster. For Afghans living in America, the result was downright awful. Could it have been prevented? How do Americans from Afghan backgrounds tackle the situation?
An Essential Survival Guide for Anyone Divorced With Kids by Kim Lumpkin
Wallerstein, collaborating with New York Times writer Sandra Blakeslee, gives advice that may seem painfully obvious to any clear thinking person, but she is keenly aware that adults going through a divorce are very likely anything but rational.
Read This Book Before Having Kids! by Kim Lumpkin
While no one can claim to know exactly what a baby is thinking and feeling, child analyst Dr. Paul C. Holinger has written a very wise and practical guide to reading a baby's signals, from interest to surprise to anger, and knowing how to respond to them.
Portrait of a Child by Dan Callahan
Henry James' What Maisie Knew comes through as one of his best novels
Expect and Be Disappointed One Day by Laurie Edwards
This book lets you know you can do it, that billions of women did it, and that medical professionals are there to help you along.
Looking Back... by Heather Marie Harris
This short novel offers true fans of Berg a moderately entertaining weekend read, albeit a fairly forgettable one.
A Springtime Delight by Heather Marie Harris
Roots, shoots, flowers, and seeds! What's This? is a colorful basic introduction to the natural life cycle of the sunflower.
For Baseball Geeks Only by John Nesbit
Who's the best baseball player you ever saw? No matter who you think he was, Bill James has the stats to prove it.
Feline Fantasy by Heather Marie Harris
An unusual and humorous look into the fantasy life of felines.
Reinventing Generational Diversity by John Nesbit
Ever clash with someone from a different generation? Read this book—help is at hand!
A Good Man Tells It All by Laurie Edwards
Bob Kerry's been and done more than most people even dream of. Now he writes the true story of a long-lost uncle, a wonderful childhood, service in Vietnam, and coming to terms with the things he's done.
Poor Poor Pitiful Me! by Laurie Edwards
Oh, the pain! Oh, the hate! Oh, th—shut the fuck up!! No way could something this silly, badly explained, and unscientific be true. This is junk and a fraud, good only for casual reading by those who enjoy tacky psychobabble.
At Home on the Range With Jon Billman by David Abrams
With these short stories, Billman stakes a strong claim in territory previously mapped by Raymond Carver, Richard Ford and Rick Bass. Howlingly good reading.
Yogi Berraisms, Extended Versions by John Nesbit
Yogi Berra is a lovable, down-home philosopher, even if he is a damn Yankee. This book allows you to get to know the former catcher like no other book has ever done.
Mark Spragg's Wyoming Memoir: Better than Angela's Ashes? by David Abrams
Simply put: the best memoir I've read all year...perhaps EVER
A Boy, Two Dogs and a Pillow Damp With Tears by David Abrams
The ultimate tear-duct novel for kids. Even now, the story of a boy and his two coon hounds reduces me to a pile of blubbering jelly.
Poor Fight For Mixed Marriages by Rachel Gordon
While White Girl is based on an important and oft-overlooked premise, the execution fails to move the reader to its enlightened ways.
Her Own Worst Enemy by Kim Lumpkin
According to Dickerson, young women today are overwhelmed by society's expectations, which are, ironically, the result of the women's liberation movement.
History Doesn't Have to be Boring by Laurie Edwards
Eric Foner's a teacher, and he's done what the best teachers do; create lessons so interesting that students want to learn. More than anything else, that's the power of Who Owns History: It's so good you want to find out more.
Teeny Tiny Terribly Timid by Laurie Edwards
The message Whooo's Haunting the Teeny Tiny Ghost? sends to children is extremely unpleasant: If you're different, you'll have no friends, and you'll be terrified of your own shadow.
Arch Humor, Scintillating Quotations, and Some Genuine Pathos by Stephen Murray
The masterpiece syndrome weighs heavily on a French Jewish writer exiled from the North African sun of his youth.
New Evidence in the Mystery of Sex Differences by Kim Lumpkin
As Dr. Marianne Legato, founder of the Partnership for Gender-Specific Medicine at Columbian University, reveals in this book, the physical and chemical basis for these differences are only recently coming to light because for many years, advanced medical research was done almost exclusively on men.
How to Win Love Without Losing Yourself by Kim Lumpkin
Weinberg is enough of a realist to know that most women will go to almost ridiculous lengths to keep their men, so he uses this book to give women strategies to help them maintain the relationship and keep their sanity and self-respect in the process.
The Love Drug by Kim Lumpkin
In simple yet rarely condescending language, Fisher writes about love in a professional manner, yet she is not overly-detached; on the contrary, she is highly empathetic to her subjects, sharing their joy when they are in love and their pain when their love is spurned.
Adopting the Long View of Takeovers by Nita Daniel
Native New Yorkers don't look up, but there may be monarch butterflies migrating above their heads.
A is for Aster... by Heather Marie Harris
Beautiful and unique potato print artwork along with charming text introduce youngsters to the alphabet.
A Charming Perspective on Wildflowers by Heather Marie Harris
Ryden's stunning photographic collection of East Coast wildflowers and conversational prose is both charming and informative.
I(nformation) S(ickness) just is by Stephen Murray
WILL@epicqwest.com is a farcical satire of contemporary "higher" education, psychopharmacology, Internet overload of information, misinformation, and disinformation, and cyber-porn, reduced-fat food products, literary deconstructionist "theory," pop culture supersaturation, etc.
A Laid-Back Mystery by Kim Lumpkin
As anyone familiar with the “magical realism” genre knows, there is something hypnotic about South American tales, with their slower pace and attention to the details of nature and the passing of time.
Reality in the World of Illusion by Becka Lucas
What I like most about the book is how opposite, yet kindred it is to Cirque du Soleil. Cirque is all about light and motion; it is a production, a theatrical spectacle in every way. Wings: Backstage with Cirque du Soleil, on the other hand, is completely shot in black and white; the characters are, for once, still.
Frozen Cattle, Hot Writing by David Abrams
In her debut novel, Claire Davis writes a tale of the modern West that embraces its characters even as they cling to the land.
A woman's power is eternal within the Witchblade! by Chris Madsen
A new legend of Witchblade is born! Set in medieval Japanese times—when Samurai and Shoguns roamed the land—The Witchblade calls for just one special woman to wield the power and set awful wrongs right!
Unchanging Formula by Laurie Edwards
If you like the Clancy formula, you'll love this. If you don't, you'll be bored, confused, or pissed off.
Irresistable Force/Immovable Object by Stephen Murray
"Neither man was capable of compromise. Both were bullying, aggressive, intolerant and self-absorbed."
Faith Among the Elephant Dung by David Abrams
The heartbreak of this novel is twofold: First, the main character, Faith Duckle, goes through an agonizing journey of self-discovery. Second is the fact that this is the last book Amanda Davis will ever write.
Woody Talks!! by John Nesbit
If you're disappointed that Woody Allen never supplies DVD commentary, get this book!
Fatal Wounds by Shannon W. Hennessy
If you decide to invest any of your valuable time on Wounds, don't say you weren't warned.
Make-Believe Histories of a Make-Believe City by Laurie Edwards
Los Angeles is a city with no past. David L. Ulin has collected and edited the fantasy history of LA, as written by some of America's finest writers of the 20th century.
When books mattered to more people by Stephen Murray
Kazin strikes me as a very engaging mandarin, eager to share some of his experiences of writers and writings with the Harvard students who attended these lectures and later readers of the published texts.
The Iceman hath returned! by Chris Madsen
The Iceman comes back in his second limited mini-series to chill people out and take names...including those of the people who kidnapped his former girlfriend and his previously unknown baby in order to gain his cooperation.
"Afraid of Their Own Thoughts": Chester Himes's Homophobia/Prison Novel by Stephen Murray
Like Aneas, Jimmy cannot live for love. Like the ancient queen of the same name, Dido can only live for and by love.
Breaking Down Horseshit Baseball by John Nesbit
A true managerial genius, Whitey Herzog sits down and tells it like it is to give more insight into the inner circles of baseball than you'd ever dream possible.
Being Desired in the Glamorous 1950s Gay Set by Stephen Murray
A semi-closeted party boy before Stonewall tells what it's like to be the worshipped beloved.
Sleep, Perchance to Dream by Laurie Edwards
This isn't a serious science text; this is an interesting and informative look at dreams and how we can interpret them.
Portrait of the artist as a humorless young cad by Stephen Murray
Coetzee chronicles misery (and complicity with misery) experienced by a self that was not old but that was devoid of most of the qualities of youthfulness—other than egocentricity and ambition.
The Wildest Ride in America is...America Itself by Kim Lumpkin
In this nightmarish vision, any distinctions between government and corporate America have vanished, and the whole country is basically run by one monolithic entity known as Vitessa.
Steinbeck's screenplay about Zapata and much more by Stephen Murray
The rebel "stands for freedom and is willing to die for it but reluctant to kill for it...The revolutionary, by contrast, speaks of liberty but establishes terror; in the name of equality and fraternity, he sets up the guillotine or the firing squad. For the sake of an abstract mankind, he finds it expedient to purge the unorthodox individual."
A Masterpiece of High Modernism in a New Translation by Stephen Murray
If he does not end up doing the opposite of what he sets out to do, he wanders off and does something or another completely irrelevant to his plans.
The Staggering Stupidity of Which Adolescent Males are Capable by Stephen Murray
The novel elaborately details the disruption of the cloistered calm of a then all-male Oxford that a flirtatious and attractive young woman causes when she visits her grandfather. One of the most admirable features of Beerbohm's book is its calling attention to the herd mentality of young men as relentless followers of fashion and as easy prey to romantic notions.
