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Staff Picks from Village Square Booksellers

Our staff is happy to help you with book suggestions for yourself or for gifts. In the store, check out the staff picks shelf. Books are available to order online & can be shipped to you or sent as gifts from you.

Asey Mayo Murder Mysteries-   Back by popular demand for the first time in years, The Countryman Press is pleased to the Cape Cod mysteries featuring the witty and salty Asey Mayo, "a local handyman who knows something about police work and everything about everybody's business". I read these mysteries when I lived on Cape Cod from 1989-92 & I think you will enjoy them. They are written in the "cosy" style- no sex, violence or bad language. Titles include: Asey Mayo Trio, Punch with Care and Going, Going, Gone

Lady and the Unicorn- An extraordinary story exquisitely told, Chevalier's "The Lady and the Unicorn" weaves history and fiction into a beautiful, timeless, and intriguing literary tapestry that rivals in grace and grandeur the masterpiece that inspired it. The six tapestries that inspired Tracy Chevalier's novel of the same name are quite real and hang today in the Museum of the Middle Ages (aka the Cluny Museum) in Paris, bewitching art experts and enthusiasts alike for centuries with their splendor and dual mysteries. The book combines history, art and romance in Chevalier's special style. Plume $14

Eragon- Beautifully written and taut with suspense, "Eragon" is the first installment in an epic fantasy trilogy about a 15-year-old farm boy who discovers his destiny as a Dragon Rider Gifted with only an ancient sword, a loyal dragon, and sage advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is soon swept into a dangerous tapestry of magic, glory, and power. Now his choices could save--or destroy--the Empire. Chris Paolini was one of the authors on the RH Round NYC Boat Trip that Pat & Alan attended in June 2005. Pre-order ELDEST, the sequel to Eragon & attend our party on August 23. Random House $9.95

Inkheart Meggie lives a quiet life with her father, a bookbinder. But her father has a deep secret--he possesses an extraordinary magical power. When a mysterious stranger arrives, Meggie is plunged into intrigue as her father's life is put in danger. Scholastic $7.99

Inkspell- Cornelia Funke's sequel to Inkheart- Although a year has passed, not a day goes by without Meggie thinking of INKHEART, the book whose characters became real. But for Dustfinger, the fire-eater brought into being from words, the need to return to the tale has become desperate. When he finds a crooked storyteller with the ability to read him back, Dustfinger leaves behind his young apprentice Farid and plunges into the medieval world of his past. Distraught, Farid goes in search of Meggie, and before long, both are caught inside the book, too. But the story is threatening to evolve in ways neither of them could ever have imagined. 0439554004 Scholastic Chicken House $19.99

Uniform Justice, Acqua Alta, Death of La Fenice, Doctored Evidence For more than a decade Donna Leon has been a bestseller in Europe with a series of mysteries featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti. Always ready to bend the rules to solve a crime, Brunetti manages to maintain his integrity while maneuvering through a city rife with politics, corruption, and intrigue. In Uniform Justice, a young cadet has been found hanged, a presumed suicide, in Venice's elite military academy. Brunetti's sorrow for the boy, so close in age to his own son, is rivaled only by his contempt for a community that is more concerned with protecting the reputation of the school, and its privileged students, than with finding the truth. The young man's father is a doctor and former politician. He is a man of an impeccable integrity who inexplicably avoids talking to the police. As Brunetti pursues his inquiry, he is faced with a wall of silence. Is the military protecting its own? Or has Brunetti uncovered a conspiracy far more sinister than that of a single death? I enjoy reading this series with the great descriptions of Venetian lifestyle, it brings back memories of the time we spent living in France. Brunetti's anti-establishment attitude is a lot like Georges Simemon's Maigret.

Zoom and Re-Zoom Wordless picture book presents a series of scenes, each one from farther away, showing, for example, a girl playing with toys which is actually a picture on a magazine cover, which is part of a sign on a bus, and so on. Re-Zoom from an Egyptian pyramid to an exotic jungle to a sandy beach to experience a mindbending visual journey full of twists, turns and surprises in Istvan Banyai's mysterious landscapes of pictures within pictures. Full-color illustrations.
 

The Intelligencer- London, 1593: It is three weeks before the murder of Christopher Marlowe, playwright and spy in Queen Elizabeth I's secret service -- a crime that remains unsolved to this day. Marlowe is hoping to find his missing muse as he sets off on a new intelligence assignment...and closes in on the secret that will seal his fate.

New York City, present day: Renaissance scholar turned private eye Kate Morgan investigates a shocking heist and murder involving a mysterious, antique manuscript recently unearthed in central London. What secret lurks in those yellowed, ciphered pages...and how, centuries later, could it drive someone to kill?

Propelling us from the shadows of the sixteenth-century underworld to the chambers of a clandestine U.S. intelligence unit, from the glitter of the Elizabethan court to the catacombs of ancient Rome, "The Intelligencer's" dual narratives twist, turn, and collide as they race toward a stunning finale. Washington Square Press $14

The Illuminator- Fourteenth-century England was a time of plague, political unrest, and the earliest stirrings of the Reformation. Richly detailed and irresistibly compelling, this first novel is a glorious work of love, art, religion, and treachery at this extraordinary turning point in history. St Martin's Press $24.95

The History of Love- Leo Gursky is barely surviving, tapping his radiator each evening to let his upstairs neighbor know he's still alive. But life wasn't always like this: 60 years ago, in the Polish village where he was born, Leo fell in love and wrote a book. And though Leo doesn't know it, that book survived, inspiring fabulous circumstances, even love. Norton $23.95

Pocketful of Names- Hannah's life is rudely interrupted one summer when a dog arrives with the tide. He is soon followed by a teenage runaway, a mainland family in need, and a trapped whale. Now Hannah faces new emotional challenges as alarming family secrets are uncovered. Graywolf Press $24

Dogs of Babel- In Paul's fantastic and even perilous search for the truth about his wife's death, he abandons his everyday life to embark on a series of experiments designed to teach his dog Lorelei to communicate. Could she really give him the answers he is looking for?  Back Bay Books $13.95

Kiln People- In a perilous future where disposable human duplicates fulfill every legal and illicit whim of their decadent masters, investigator Albert Morris is on the trail of a discovery so valuable that it incites open warfare on the streets. To stop the carnage, Morris must enter a shadowy world where nothing--and no one--is what it seems, and even memory itself is suspect. David Brin is also the author of The Postman  Tor $7.99.

The Confusion- In this compelling adventure, Stephenson brings to life a cast of unforgettable characters in the late 1600s on the high seas. It is a time of breathtaking genius and discovery for men and women whose exploits define an age known as Baroque.Harper Perennial $15.95

The Hollow Hills- Keeping watch over the young Arthur Pendragon, the prince and prophet Merlin Ambrosius is haunted by dreams of the magical sword Caliburn, which has been hidden for centuries. When Uther Pendragon is killed in battle, the time of destiny is at hand, and Arthur must claim the fabled sword to become the true High King of Britain. Mary Stewarts' classic tale! Harper Eos $14.95
 

Darkwitch Rising - The third title in Sara Douglass's compelling Troy Game series, a riveting historical fantasy series of love and revenge set against the very fabric of time itself.  Tor $23.95

The Wedding- From America's favorite chronicler of love stories comes the long-awaited follow-up to his classic, "The Notebook," as Wilson Lewis struggles to find his way back into the heart of the woman he adores.  Warner $7.50

October Sky-Originally published as "Rocket Boys", this bestseller--based on a true story--follows a group of boys in a small West Virginia town in 1957 as they light up the skies with their flaming rockets and dreams of glory. This edition includes 8 pages of photos. Dell $7.99

Phoenix Rising-Thirteen-year-old Nyle learns about relationships and death when fifteen-year-old Ezra, who was exposed to radiation leaked from a nearby nuclear plant, comes to stay at her grandmother's Vermont farmhouse. Puffin $6.99

Nights in Rodanthe-The tender story of hope and joy, of sacrifice and forgiveness--a moving reminder that love is possible at any age, at any time, and often comes when it is least expected. Warner $7.50

A Child Called "It"- This book chronicles the unforgettable account of one of the most severe child abuse cases in California history. It is the story of Dave Pelzer, who was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games--games that left him nearly dead. He had to learn how to play his mother's games in order to survive because she no longer considered him a son, but a slave; and no longer a boy, but an "it." Health Communications $9.95

Newsletter Reviews:

Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right by Al Franken. Franken trains his subversive with directly on the contemporary political scene, leaving the powers-that-be in tatters and his audience in hysterics. He destroys the myth of liberal bias in the media, and exposes how the Right shamelessly tries to deceive the rest of us. Timely, provocative, unfailingly honest, and always funny. Penguin Plume $14

It's My America Too- by Ben Ferguson. Ferguson is a conservative 22 year-old with a talk radio program. The New Minority are the 20-somethings who are overworked, underpaid, overmarketed and drastically under-represented. His provocative topics include "What the Republican Party Can Learn from Bill Clinton". Harper Collins $23.95.

Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett - Non fiction book about Patchett's friendship with Lucy Grealy (Autobiography of a Face), starting from their college years. Shining light on the little explored world of women's friendships, of best friends that stand together throughout their lives. Patchett's relationship with Grealy continues through love, fame, drugs & despair. Harper Collins $ 23.95HC $14.95 PB

Better Off- by Eric Bende. Living with his wife for12 months among an energy-free farming community to prove that modern technological advances make our lives more inconvenient more stressful and less healthy. Bende uses scientific reasoning & fact to prove his argument against modern conveniences. Harper Collins $ 24.95 HC $13.95 PB

Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith: A new Isabel Dalhousie Mystery Series from the author of the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency (there will be 7 books in the "No 1" series, 5 in the new one). Isabel Dalhousie is fond of problems, particularly those of a philosophical variety (Is hypocrisy always bad? What are the limits of moral obligation?), which come her way in her role as editor of "The Review of Applied Ethics. And sometimes she becomes interested in problems that are, quite frankly, none of her business—including some that are best left to the police as when Isabel sees a young man plunge to his death from the upper circle of the Edinburgh Concert Hall. Random House $19.95 HC  $12.95 PB

5 Square Low-Carb Meals: The 20-Day Makeover Plan with Delicious Recipes for Fast, Healthy Weight Loss and High Energy  by Monica Lynn, founder of 5 Squares, a food delivery service. Divided into 5 parts, providing recipes to pick & choose from each day for 3 meals & 2 snacks per day. Promoting 5 small meals so that your metabolism runs smoothly, the book helps readers make the switch to a feel-good lifestyle with shopping lists and food & exercise journal pages. Harper Collins Regan $ 19.95 HC $14.95 PB

Quirky Kids by Perri Klass Two pediatricians offer guidance on raising the eccentric kids who don't fit in with their peers. Many diagnoses are given to them- from Asperger’s syndrome and nonverbal learning disability to obsessive-compulsive behavior and sensory integration dysfunction are given to these children and the book discusses various therapy, education options and coping strategies. Random House Ballantine $14.95

 Emerils's Potluck: Comfort Food with a Kicked-Up Attitude by Emeril Lagasse: Ideal for every type of gathering, including tailgate parties, book clubs, summer picnics, backyard barbecues, brunches, and more, the book features dozens of recipes designed to please a large crowd. From great appetizers to one-dish favorites to delicious desserts, Emeril’s Potluck can help anyone be the host with the most or the guest with the great party dish! 16-page color insert. Harper Collins $24.95   

 

Emeril's Delmonico: A Restaurant with a Past by Emeril Lagasse   -  Published in October 2005: Emeril pays homage to Creole cuisine by presenting a collection of classic and elegant recipes from the famed restaurant, simplified for the home cook. Emeril’s Delmonico is full of the hearty, innovative, no-frills foods that have made him America’s favorite chef. There are recipes for everything from starters, soups, and sides, to entrees, cocktails, and desserts including: Oysters Bienville: a classic New Orleans starter made with the luscious flavors of bacon, onions, and Parmagiano-Reggianio, created as a tribute to the City’s founder. Chicken Delmonico: a signature dish from the old restaurant, this local favorite, topped with creamy mushroom and artichoke sauce. More than a cookbook, Emeril’s Delmonico is part of a widespread effort to preserve a unique culinary tradition and pass it down to younger generations before it becomes extinct. Emeril provides a unique glimpse into Creole culture as he documents the history of a restaurant, its menu, and the hard-working people who made it all possible. 110 photos, 80 in full color.  Morrow Cookbooks $ 29.95 US     0060740469 Order a book:   Item Name: Emeril's Delmonico: A Restaurant with a Past Item Number: 0060740469 Price: $29.95 Emeril's Delmonico

 

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Old School by Tobias Wolff. Adopted by Vermont Academy as an all-school reading this Fall. Exploring the deceptions and betrayals that turn a boy into a writer after attending an elite prep school in 1960, an outsider who mimics his privileged classmates enters a school literary contest. A celebration of literature and delicate hymn to a lost innocence of American life and art. Random House Vintage $ 12

Baker Towers by Jennifer Haigh Baker Towers is a family saga & a love story, a hymn to a time & place long gone, to America's industrial past and the men & women we now call the Greatest Generation. This is a feat of imagination from an extraordinary new voice in American fiction, a writer of enormous power & skill. Harper Collins Perennial $13.95 

Baker Towers

Wild About Books by Judy Sierra with illustrations by Marc Brown. Springfield librarian, Molly McGrew, by mistake drove her bookmobile into the zoo. In this rollicking rhymed story, Molly introduces birds and beasts to this new something called reading. She finds the perfect book for every animal—tall books for giraffes, tiny ones for crickets. Sierra’s tale is coupled with Brown’s lush, fanciful paintings! Stop in the store to pick up a "Wild About Books" button while supplies last. Preschool- 3gr Random House: $16.95.

How Angel Peterson Got His Name by Gary Paulsen. Paulsen shares stories of how boys growing up in the northwoods make their own excitement. Tales of high jinx, high spirits, idiocy, high fun and showing off for girls by shooting waterfalls off a barrel, skateboarding and other extreme sports. Anyone for wrestling a bear? Skiing behind a souped-up car? Middlegrade Fiction from Random House: $5.50.

The Grim Grotto, #11 in the Series of Unfortunate Events, by Lemony Snicket.  In the most alarming volume yet in the phenomenally bestselling Series of Unfortunate Events, the intrepid Baudelaire siblings delve ever deeper into the mystery surrounding the death of their parents and the baffling organization of V.F.D. 0064410145 Harper Collins $11.99 (2nd grade & up)

Penultimate Peril #12 due in October!

Midnight Over Sanctaphrax- Edge Chronicles #3- Far over the Edge, the Mother Storm is brewing- a storm more terrifying than any seen in the lifetime of any Edgelander. Sweeping in from the open sky, it must strike the source of the Edgewater River to bring new energy to the land. Only one person can save Sanctaphrax, a magnificent city built on a floating rock and tethered to the land by a massive chain from certain disaster: Twig, the young sky pirate captain... Books 1 & 2 of the Edge Chronicles available. Pick up your Edge Viewer! Random House $12.95 (5th to 7th grade)

Conch Bearer Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni  In a dingy shack in the less-than-desirable Indian neighborhood he calls home, 12-year-old Anand is entrusted with a conch shell that possesses mystical powers. His task is to return the shell to its rightful home many hundreds of miles away. Accompanying him are Nisha, a headstrong but resourceful child of the streets, & a mysterious man of indeterminate age named Abadhyatta. DCF-Red Clover Pick Simon & Schuster $ 5.99

Molly Moon's Hypnotic Time Travel Adventure by Georgia Byng  In this third book in the "New York Times" bestselling series, Molly Moon heads to India to learn more about the ancient art of hypnosis and runs into her arch nemesis and, through time-travel experiments, a younger version of herself.  3rd Grade to 7th Grade   ISBN: 0060750324 Harper Collins Publishers $ 16.99 US  - Hardcover - Pub Date: August 2005 Molly Moon

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Pat Paltiel Fowler
Last Edited Monday, May 05, 2008 08:01 PM