BOOKS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT:
Here's a list of some outstanding current and forthcoming titles on our shelves. These are books that offer something special — superb writing by talented authors, a riveting reading experience, unforgettable characters, intriguing concepts, fascinating subject matter, impeccable scholarship, or just sheer literary entertainment. These are books that truly deserve your attention...

Drop by Walden Pond Books at 3316 Grand Avenue and browse. Or - if you see a book listed here that you know you've just got to read immediately - call us at 510-832-4438 and we'll hold that title for you at the front counter or ship directly to your home.

• Fiction: Just Released in Hardcover (Front Display)
  

  (Bloomsbury)	WINNER OF THE 2011 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR FICTION SALVAGE THE BONES by Jesmyn Ward A truly stunning novel about an unforgettable family, and a wrenching look at the lonesome, brutal, and restrictive realities of rural poverty, Muscled with poetry, revelatory, and real, Salvage the Bones uses fearless, toughly lyrical language to convey this family's close-knit tenderness, the sheer bloody-minded difficulty of impoverished African American life, and what it's like when those hurricane winds sledge-hammer you and the water rises faster than you can stand up. "Ward deploys language at once lyric and punch-sharp to portray the struggle, despair, and tenderness of one poor African American family - day by day for 12 days, up until Katrina storms forth and takes away everything. Beautiful and heartbreaking. Highly recommended; you owe it to yourself to read this book." — Library Journal *** starred review ***. "Masterful! Salvage the Bones has the aura of a classic about it." — The Washington Post. "This book is impossibly beautiful." — The Oxford American.
  (Knopf)	WINNER OF THE 2011 MAN BOOKER PRIZE FOR FICTION THE SENSE OF AN ENDING by Julian Barnes SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE: TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR Tony Webster and his clique first met Adrian Finn at school. Together they navigated gawky adolescence, trading in affectations, in-jokes, rumor and wit. They swore to stay friends forever. Until Adrian's life took a turn into tragedy, and all of them, especially Tony, moved on and did their best to forget. But now, decades later, an unexpected bequest leads Tony on a dogged search through a past suddenly turned murky. The story of a man coming to terms with the mutable past, Julian Barnes' new novel is laced with his trademark precision, dexterity and insight. "Barnes has effectively doubled the length of the book by giving us a final revelation that obliges us to reread it. Barnes' story is a meditation on the unreliability and falsity of memory; on not getting it the first time round - and possibly not even the second, either. Barnes' revelation is richly ambiguous." — The Evening Standard (U.K.). "The book is a masterpiece by any measure. . . it becomes a psychological thriller of extraordinary technical virtuosity." — Gaby Wood, The Daily Telegraph (U.K.). "It would be a mistake to dismiss this as a mere psychological thriller. . . Its effect is disturbing - all the more so for being written with Barnes’ habitual lucidity. His reputation will surely be enhanced by this book. Do not be misled by its brevity. Its mystery is as deeply embedded as the most archaic of memories." — Anita Brookner, The Daily Telegraph (U.K.). "A slow burn, measured but suspenseful, this compact novel makes every slyly crafted sentence count. The concluding scenes grip like a thriller - a whodunnit of memory and morality, and one which detonates a minor, private apocalypse." — The Independent (U.K.). "An elegantly composed, quietly devastating tale about memory, aging, time and remorse. Offers somber insights into life's losses, mistakes and disappointments in a piercing, thought-provoking narrative. Bleak as this may sound, the key word here - the note of encouragement - is 'insights.' And this beautiful book is full of them." — Heller McAlpin, NPR.
  (Scribner)	11/22/63 by Stephen King NEW YORK TIMES: TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR A heart-stoppingly dramatic new novel about a man who travels back in time to prevent the JFK assassination. Stephen King is back! Perhaps his best work in decades, this is the epic novel King fans have been waiting for and the novel that will gain King a host of new admirers. "Mr. King pulls off a sustained high-wire act of storytelling trickery. He makes alternative history work. Perhaps it’s the gravity of the Kennedy assassination that makes this new book so well grounded, but in any case 11/22/63 does not lay on the terror tricks. Mr. King's description of America in the midst of the Cuban missile crisis, fearing imminent nuclear annihilation, is at least as scary as anything he ever made up. Filled with immediacy, pathos and suspense. It takes great brazenness to go anywhere near this subject matter. But it takes great skill to make this story even remotely credible. Mr. King makes it all look easy." — The New York Times. "The reader feels the benefit of 40 years of narrative craftsmanship and reflection on his nation's history. Going backwards proves to be another step forward for the most remarkable storyteller in modern American literature." — The Guardian (U.K.).
  (Little Brown)	THE ART OF FIELDING by Chad Harbach NEW YORK TIMES: TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE: TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR Definitely THE sports novel of the year! College baseball star Henry Skrimshander seems destined for big league stardom. But when a routine throw goes disastrously off course, Henry's fight against self-doubt threatens to ruin his future. As the season counts down to its climactic final game, Henry, his friends, lovers, and teammates are forced to confront their deepest hopes, anxieties, and secrets. "Sports fiction has a built-in plot problem. The drama usually rides on a team's success or failure as it moves through a season to the Big Game. Harbach finds an inventive and thoroughly satisfying solution to the Big Game problem, and it works. In an immediately accessible narrative reminiscent of John Irving, Harbach draws readers into the lives of his characters, plumbing their psyches with remarkable psychological acuity and exploring the transformative effect that love and friendship can have on troubled souls. And, yes, it's a hell of a baseball story, too, no matter who wins." — Booklist *** starred review ***. "You don't have to like baseball to savor Chad Harbach's sumptuous debut novel, a wise and tender story of love and friendship, ambition and the cruelty of dashed dreams. You will find yourself wishing The Art of Fielding would never end. It's that good." — Bookpage.
  (Ecco)	TEN THOUSAND SAINTS by Eleanor Henderson NEW YORK TIMES: TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR A frayed tangle of family members are brought painfully together by a death, then carried along in anticipation of a new and unexpected life. While teenagers battle to discover themselves, their parents struggle with this new generation's radical reinterpretation of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll and their grown-up awareness of nature and nurture, brotherhood and loss. With empathy and masterful skill, Eleanor Henderson has conjured a rich portrait of the modern age and the struggles that unite and divide generations. "A compelling portrait of Generation Xers who fiercely reject their parents' values of free love." — The New Yorker. "An irresistibly rich and engrossing novel. Poignant and complex. Henderson brilliantly evokes the gritty energy of New York City in the '80s, and the violent euphoria of the music scene." — O Magazine. "Henderson proves herself to be an expert ethnographer; her detail work is phenomenal. Characterizations demonstrate Henderson's greatest skill. Even the ones who receive comparatively little stage time are always precisely defined. Henderson's affection for the characters is palpable." — The Washington Post. "The reader smells the sweat, blood, urine, beer; hears the crowds screaming; feels herself at times flung into the mosh pit - Henderson shepherds her characters with blatant affection. Raucous, wounded, sweet, spasmodically desperate, 10,000 Saints comes to feel like a modern, drug-and-rock-riddled version of Peter Pan." — The San Francisco Chronicle.
  (Tor)	COUNT TO A TRILLION by John C. Wright As Earth struggles to recover after the collapse of the Western world, young Menelaus Illation Montrose grows up in what was once Texas as a gunslinging duelist for hire. But Montrose is also a mathematical genius - and a romantic who dreams of a future in which humanity rises from the ashes to take its place among the stars. "Spectacularly clever in weaving together cutting edge speculation along the outer fringes of known science. Set forth with such effortless intelligence and confident verisimilitude that the author might be a denizen of the remote future, reporting back to us in the distant past." — Kirkus Reviews. "The author of the Orphans of Chaos trilogy launches a new adventure series featuring an unusual and eccentric hero and a world in which economic collapse has led to an ostensibly peaceful utopia. An elegant stylist and a true visionary, Wright will delight hard science fiction fans with his exuberance, while his characters and plot keep the action fast and furious." — Library Journal.
  (Knopf)	THE LEOPARD by Jo Nesbo On the run in Hong Kong and haunted by his last case, Oslo police detective Harry Hole struggles with opium addiction and the demons of his past. But back in Norway, a serial killer is on the loose. "We are sucked in again, drawn by the specter of a good man undone by a bad world and a too-sensitive soul. What Harry Hole craves, he tells us, is an armored heart. We could use one, too, if we ever hope to turn away from the adventures of crime fiction's most tortured and compelling hero. Alas, no armor exists strong enough to keep Harry from his demons, or the rest of us from Harry." — Booklist *** starred review ***. "If you feel that personal responsibility, cracks in the welfare state and the problems of parenthood are fair game for the crime novel, then Jo Nesbo is your man. If, however, your taste is for tough and gritty narratives with a relentlessly page-turning quality, well . . . Jo Nesbo is still your man." — The Independent (U.K.). "This is not only Norway's best crime novel. It may be the world's best." — ABC TV. "A wit, a world and a languorous command of plotlines that spiral out into new plotlines. . . with three fantastic twists and a final 150 pages that run by at a blistering pace." — USA Today. "Nesbo deploys all the key ingredients of a cracking good thriller with expertise and verve. The ticking clock, the tension expertly racheted ever upwards, the changing scenery, the constantly shifting goalposts and his effortless, triumphant outpacing of the reader's ability to guess what's going to happen will keep you gripped to the last page. Suspend disbelief, immerse yourself and enjoy the ride." — The Guardian (U.K.).
  (Overlook)	THE ILLUSTRATED GORMENGHAST TRILOGY by Mervyn Peake Enter the world of Gormenghast, the vast crumbling castle to which the seventy-seventh Earl, Titus Groan, is lord and heir. Mervyn Peake has been compared to Dickens and Tolkien, but the Gormenghast Trilogy is absolutely unique. This true classic of our age is a feast of words unlike anything else in the world of fantasy, and those who explore Gormenghast castle will be richly rewarded. "Peake's books are actual additions to life; they give, like certain rare dreams, sensations we never had before, and enlarge our conception of the range of possible experience." — C.S. Lewis. "A gorgeous, volcanic eruption. A work of extraordinary imagination." — The New Yorker. "Peake's style is marvelous. His inventiveness, his ingenuity, and his humor are astonishing." — The San Francisco Chronicle.
  (HMH)	THE PRAGUE CEMETERY by Umberto Eco Nineteenth-century Europe abounds with the ghastly and the mysterious. Conspiracies rule history. Jesuits plot against Freemasons. French criminals plan bombings by day and celebrate Black Masses at night. Every nation has its own secret service, perpetrating forgeries, plots, and massacres. But what if, behind all of these conspiracies both real and imagined, lay one lone man? Umberto Eco takes his readers on an unforgettable journey through the underbelly of world-shattering events. "The Prague Cemetery lunges us headfirst into the tumultuous and conspiratorial world of late 19th-century Europe, mixing real history with his fiction. Eco succeeds in taking us on a dark, unsettling voyage into an insane mind filled with the worst kind of evil." — Shelf Awareness. "Eco doffs his scholarly gown and dons his trench coat for another bracing - and controversial - mystery. Semiotician, medievalist and linguist, Eco delights in secret codes, cabals and conspiracy theories. He's got a humdinger in this new high-level whodunit." — Kirkus Reviews. "Eco's much-anticipated sixth novel is a whirlwind tour of conspiracy and political intrigue that places one cunning and deeply cynical man at the center of a century's worth of diabolical deeds. Delightfully embellished with sophisticated and playful commentary on, among other things, Freud, metafiction, and the challenges of historiography." — Booklist.
  (William Morrow)	REAMDE by Neal Stephenson Neal Stephenson returns to the terrain of his groundbreaking novels Snow Crash, and The Diamond Age to deliver a high-intensity, high-stakes, action-packed adventure thriller in which Richard Forthrast, a tech entrepreneur, gets caught in the very real crossfire of his own online war game. "There are Russians and Chinese, mutually distrustful, and a small army of very bad jihadists, the kind who give good Muslims a bad name. There are hackers and counterhackers, spies versus spies. Who'll prevail? We don't know till the very end, thanks to Stephenson's knife-sharp skills as a storyteller. An intriguing yarn full of satisfying mayhem." — Kirkus Reviews *** starred review *** "Stephenson suddenly punches the literary equivalent of the nitro button, and this already engrossing technothriller is escalated into an even more amazing action extravaganza, with a jaw-dropping effect on the reader. Bracket out a long weekend for yourself; once you get started on REAMDE, you'll want to see it all the way through." — Shelf Awareness *** starred review ***.
  (Crown)	THE NIGHT STRANGERS by Chris Bohjalian Chip Linton, an airline pilot suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after a tragic crash from which he is one of only nine survivors, retreats with his family to a Victorian house in New Hampshire, but peace proves elusive. Their neighbors, New Age gardeners and homeopaths, soon reveal themselves to be occultists with designs on the Linton children. "Bohjalian has crafted a genre-defying novel, both a compelling story of a family in trauma and a psychological thriller that is truly frightening. — Library Journal *** starred review ***. "A page-turner of uncommon depth. Guilt, egotism, and fear all play parts in this genre-bending novel" — Booklist *** starred review ***. "A gripping paranormal thriller. Bohjalian is a master, and the slow-mounting dread makes this a frightful ride." — Publishers Weekly *** starred review ***. "The thrills of Rosemary's Baby, and the psychological frights of Daphne du Maurier. That thump thump you hear as you read is only your heart leaping from your chest." — The Washington Post.

• Fiction: Just Released in Paperback (Aisle 1-B)
  

  (Random)	THE TIGER'S WIFE by Tea Obreht NEW YORK TIMES: TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2011 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST | Finally released in paperback! In a Balkan country mending from war, Natalia, a young doctor, is compelled to unravel the mysterious circumstances surrounding her beloved grandfather's recent death. Weaving a brilliant latticework of family legend, loss, and love, Tea Obreht has spun a timeless novel that establishes her as one of the most vibrant, original authors of her generation. "Breathtaking magic, wildness and beauty. . . Every word, every scene, every thought is blazingly alive in this many-faceted, spellbinding, and rending novel of death, succor, and remembrance." — Booklist *** starred review ***. "Stunning! A richly textured and searing novel. Filled with astonishing immediacy and presence, fleshed out with detail that seems firsthand, The Tiger's Wife is all the more remarkable for being the product not of observation but of imagination." — The New York Times.
  (Grove)	WITCHES ON THE ROAD TONIGHT by Sheri Holman A NEW YORK TIMES EDITOR'S CHOICE WINNER: INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER BOOK AWARDS GOLD MEDAL FOR LITERARY FICTION As a child growing up in Depression-era rural Virginia, Eddie Alley's quiet life is rooted in the rumors of his mother's witchcraft. But when he's visited by a writer researching American folklore for the WPA, the spell of his mother's unorthodox life is violently disrupted, and Eddie is inspired to pursue a future beyond the confines of his dead-end town. "Holman is a master of the miniature. She uses tiny, achingly accurate details to bring each moment to life on the page; her sentences sing. This richly layered novel is Holman's most ambitious and successful yet." — People Magazine. "Undeniably impressive. Holman boasts a fine Gothic imagination, summoning visceral details at will and evoking the blur between the real and the supernatural as if it were the most straightforward thing, a knack possessed by few writers." — The New York Times.
  (Broadway)	THE METROPOLIS CASE by Matthew Gallaway From the smoky music halls of 1860s Paris to the tumbling skyscrapers of 21st-century New York, Gallaway's debut novel gives voice to the sweeping tale of an unlikely quartet, bound together by the history of Wagner's opera Tristan and Isolde. "An absorbing and intricately plotted first novel. Gallaway excels at the long form, producing a dense, well-structured puzzle. Like the opera that ultimately binds his characters together, The Metropolis Case lingers beyond the final note." — Out Magazine (Critics' Pick). "It's to the credit of Matthew Gallaway's enchanting, often funny first novel that it doesn't require a corresponding degree of obsession from readers, but may leave them similarly transported: the book is so well written - there's hardly a lazy sentence here - and filled with such memorable lead and supporting players that it quickly absorbs you into its worlds." — The New York Times. "An intricate, multilayered tale that slides from past to present, from Europe to New York, from opera to pop. But despite the complexity, The Metropolis Case engages the reader emotionally on every page." — The Washington Post.
  (Picador)	THE MARRIAGE ARTIST by Andrew Winer Searching for the meaning behind his favorite artist's and his wife's double suicide, art critic Daniel Lichtmann discovers a link to pre-World War II Vienna, a child artist prodigy, and a remarkable woman. "A tour de force of provocative ideas - about art, love, Jewish identity, survivor's guilt, the fluidity of time and so much else - expressed through emotionally riveting characters." — Kirkus Reviews *** starred review ***. "Winer's powerful and ambitious novel is nothing less than an attempt to unearth the essence and meaning of life passed on by those who survived the Holocaust. Winer packs the story with intriguing ideas and metaphors so movingly articulated." — Publishers Weekly *** starred review ***. "Intimately crafted, with minute dissections of events in the characters' lives. A beautifully written, sensuous investigation of love and war." — Library Journal. "Moves between lyricism and noir to hint at those mysteries less easily explained, such as the nature of identity - and the confounding bonds between husband and wife." — Vogue. "Intricately wrought. . . There are passages of great beauty tenderly delineating the mysteries of love and creativity." — The Washington Post.
  (Penguin)	A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES by Deborah Harkness No! This is NOT just "another vampire novel"! Deborah Harkness has crafted a mesmerizing and addictive read, equal parts history and magic, romance and suspense - a richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together. "A wonderfully imaginative grown-up fantasy with all the magic of Harry Potter." — People Magazine. "In Harkness's lively debut, witches, vampires, and demons outnumber humans at Oxford's Bodleian Library, where witch and Yale historian Diana Bishop discovers an enchanted manuscript. Harkness brings this world to vibrant life." — Publishers Weekly *** starred review ***. "Harkness creates a compelling and sweeping tale. All her characters are fully fleshed and unique. Essential reading!" — Booklist *** starred review ***. "Set in our contemporary world with a magical twist, this sparkling debut by a history professor features a large cast of fascinating characters. This enchanting novel is an essential purchase." — Library Journal.
  (St. Martin's Griffin)	YEARS OF RED DUST: Stories of Shanghai by Qiu Xiaolong A collection of linked short stories that trace the changes in modern China over fifty years - from the early days of the Communist revolution in 1949 to the modernization movement of the late nineties - all from the perspective of one small street in Shanghai, Red Dust Lane. History, on both an epic and personal scale, unfolds through the stories of the lives lived in this one lane, this one corner of Shanghai. "Xiaolong's writing is transportive, and readers will feel as though they've traveled through China's history. He captures the mood of this fascinating country through its most ordinary citizens." — Publishers Weekly *** starred review ***. "The residents of Red Dust Lane meet with ironic reversals of fate as China evolves from communism to a curious accommodation with capitalism. Qiu presents their turns of fortune dryly, with an appreciation for the absurd and a sense, too, for when the absurd is also truly tragic." — The Washington Post.
  (HMH)	NASHVILLE CHROME by Rick Bass Late in 1959, the Brown siblings - Maxine, Bonnie, and Jim - were enjoying unprecedented international success, rivaled only by their longtime friend Elvis Presley. Even the Beatles tried to copy their unique harmonies. But the Browns' celebrity couldn't survive the world changing around them, and the bonds of family began to fray along with the fame. Rick Bass hits all the right grace notes with his vivid evocation of an era in American music. A wonderful novel of the rise and fall of one of country music's greatest acts. "In his grand return to fiction, Bass summons - with a lyrical style befitting his best nature writing - Arkansas and backwoods trio the Browns, the true-life country music trailblazers who pioneered the 1950s sound from which the novel takes its title. A pitch-perfect chorus of longing and regret, with an undertone that connects and heals." — Publishers Weekly *** starred review ***. "Utterly compelling. What makes this novel sing is Bass' sensuous evocations of the glory of sound and the cosmic resonance of music amid the beauty of the wild. An empathic, breath-catching, and profoundly American tale of creation, destruction, and renewal." — Booklist *** starred review ***.
  (Harper)	THE PRINTMAKER'S DAUGHTER by Katherine Govier The legendary printmaker Hokusai is one of Japan's best-known artists, but the story of his daughter Oei comes to life here for the first time. A vivid historical novel, combining scholarly detective work and a daring narrative that shines fresh light on issues of authorship, duty, and the bond between a father and daughter. "Govier's lavishly researched and brilliant historical novel draws readers into an increasingly harrowing tale. Govier astonishes throughout in her ability to write epic themes intimately. She illustrates how the clash between change and the forces of the status quo literally hold Oei hostage, with emotionally wrenching results." — Publishers Weekly *** starred review ***. "An historical novel of enveloping and eye-opening drama. Govier's spectacularly detailed, eventful, and emotionally stormy novel is populated by vivid characters and charged with searing insights into Japanese history and the diabolically difficult lives of women and artists." — Booklist *** starred review ***.
  (Reagan Arthur)	THE TRAITOR'S WIFE by Kathleen Kent The relationship of a couple - Martha and Thomas - is threatened by a band of assassins bent on avenging the beheading of King Charles I. From the author of the The Heretic's Daughter comes a story of love and intrigue, set in the harsh wilderness of colonial Massachusetts. An absolutely riveting blend of historical novel, romance, and suspense, this is a superb page-turner that confirms Kathleen Kent's ability to craft powerful stories of family from colonial history. "The book cuts between Martha's growing relationship with Thomas and the assassins' ill-fated mission as the killers drop off one by one, victims of double-cross, drowning, poison and warring Indians. Kent brings looming dangers, whether man or beast, to harrowing life." — Kirkus Review *** starred review ***. "Kent weaves in references to her first novel while creating an immersive stand-alone where Old World corruption clashes with New World opportunity; London bustles as civilization is carved out of the Massachusetts wilderness; and colonial self-reliance contrasts with dealing for favors in Restoration England. The author brings colonial America to life by poking into its dark corners and finding its emotional and personal underpinnings." — Publishers Weekly.

• Non-Fiction: Just Released in Hardcover (Front Display)
  

  (Norton)	WINNER OF THE 2011 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR NON-FICTION THE SWERVE by Stephen Greenblatt One of the world's most celebrated scholars, Stephen Greenblatt has crafted both an innovative work of history and a thrilling story of discovery, in which one manuscript, plucked from a thousand years of neglect, changed the course of human thought and made possible the world as we know it. "In this outstandingly constructed assessment of the birth of philosophical modernity, renowned Shakespeare scholar Greenblatt deftly transports readers to the dawn of the Renaissance, when in 1417 bibliophile Poggio Bracciolini uncovered the Roman poet and philosopher Titus Lucretius Carus's Epicurean work, On the Nature of Things, in the dusty confines of a German monastery. Students and general readers will find this enthralling account irresistible." — Library Journal *** starred review ***. "One of those brilliant works of non-fiction that's so jam-packed with ideas and stories it literally boggles the mind." — N.P.R.. "There is abundant evidence here of what is Mr. Greenblatt's great and rare gift as a writer: an ability, to borrow a phrase from The Swerve, to feel fully 'the concentrated force of the buried past'." — The New York Times. "An intense, emotional telling of a true story, one with much at stake for all of us. And the further you read, the more astonishing it becomes. . . as amazing as anything in fiction." — The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  (Random)	A WORLD ON FIRE: Britain's Crucial Role in the American Civil War by Amanda Foreman NEW YORK TIMES: TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR THE ECONOMIST: BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR Between 1861 and 1865, thousands of British citizens volunteered for service on both sides of the Civil War. From the first cannon blasts on Fort Sumter to Lee's surrender at Appomattox, they served as officers and infantrymen, sailors and nurses, blockade runners and spies. In the drawing rooms of London and the offices of Washington, on muddy fields and aboard packed ships, Foreman reveals the decisions made, the beliefs held and contested, and the personal triumphs and sacrifices that ultimately led to the reunification of America. A World on Fire is a complex and groundbreaking work that will surely cement Amanda Foreman's position as one of the most influential historians of our time. "An epic work. A feat of sheer storytelling, filmic and intense, not simply akin to watching a nineteenth-century battle painting come to life, but peering into drawing rooms, eavesdropping on encampments and being in the web of political intrigue." — The Daily Telegraph (U.K.). "An achievement as enjoyable as it is impressive. As in a great nineteenth-century novel, a teeming cast propels this epic - the gallant and the craven, scoundrels and lovers, diplomats and freebooters. Charles Dickens appears in this book; had he been an historian he might well have written it." — American Heritage.
  (St. Martins)	THE BOY IN THE MOON by Ian Brown NEW YORK TIMES: TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR An intimate glimpse into the life of a family that cares around the clock for a disabled child. An unforgettable examination of the love and despair, and the complex questions the life of such a child raises. Honest, intelligent, and deeply moving, The Boy in the Moon explores the value of a single human life. This is a beautiful book, heartfelt and profound, warm and wise. "A father's candid, heart-wrenching account of raising, loving and trying to connect with and gain insight into his severely disabled son. Much more than a moving journal of life with a disabled child; it is about Brown's quest to understand his son and his son's condition. An absorbing, revealing work of startling frankness." — Kirkus Reviews *** starred review ***. "The truth Brown learns from his severely disabled child is a rare one: The life that seems to destroy you is the one you long to embrace." — The New York Times.
  (FSG)	THINKING FAST AND SLOW by Daniel Kahneman NEW YORK TIMES: TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR THE ECONOMIST: BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR The father of behavioral economics considers the workings of the human brain. Two systems drive the way humans think and make choices: System One is fast, intuitive, and emotional; System Two is slower, more deliberative, and more logical. Examining how both systems function within the mind, Daniel Kahneman exposes the extraordinary capabilities and also the faults and biases of fast thinking, and the pervasive influence of intuitive impressions on peoples' thoughts and choices. "For anyone interested in economics, cognitive science, psychology, and, in short, human behavior, this is the book of the year. Daniel Kahneman invented the field of behavioral economics, won a Nobel, and now explains how we think and make choices. Here's an easy choice: read this." — The Daily Beast. "A lucid, marvelously readable guide to spotting and correcting our biased misunderstandings of the world." — Publishers Weekly *** starred review ***. "An astonishingly rich book: lucid, profound, full of intellectual surprises and self-help value. I urge everyone to buy and read it." — The New York Times.
  (Twelve)	ARGUABLY: Essays by Christopher Hitchens by Christopher Hitchens NEW YORK TIMES: TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE: TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR An indispensable volume of essays from arguably the preeminent essayist of our time. Christopher Hitchens ruminates on why Charles Dickens was among the best of writers and the worst of men, the haunting science fiction of J.G. Ballard, the enduring legacies of Thomas Jefferson and George Orwell, the persistent agonies of anti-Semitism and jihad, the enduring relevance of Karl Marx, and how politics justifies itself by culture. What emerges is an intellectual self-portrait of a man anchored in a profound and humane vision of the human longing for reason and justice. "The sum of these pieces is vastly larger than their parts. I can’t think of anyone who brings to such a diverse range of subjects Hitchens's mobilising wit, intelligence and passion. . . This is a tremendous book." — The Daily Telegraph (U.K.). "A tour de force. Every chapter is worth reading. Hitchens is a sublime conversationalist and the book is like a fantasy dinner with him. And unlike almost every other journalist, his is a lasting gift." — The Evening Standard (U.K.). "Few writers can match Hitchens's cerebral pyrotechnics. Fewer still can emulate his punch as an intellectual character assassin. With Hitchens one simply goes along for the ride. The destination hardly matters." — The Financial Times (U.K.).
  (Knopf)	LIFE UPON THESE SHORES: Looking at African American History, 1513-2008 by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. The author delivers a landmark book tracing African-American history from the arrival of the conquistadors to the election of Barack Obama. Informed by the latest - sometimes provocative - scholarship and including more than 800 images, Life Upon These Shores focuses on defining events, debates, and controversies, as well as achievements. "Every once in a while, a new history book comes along and blows every other one exploring the same topic out of the water. Life Upon These Shores is that book." — The Daily Beast: Best Books of the Year. "A book of major importance, a breathtaking tour de force of the historical imagination." — Book Reporter.
  (Dutton)	VULTURES' PICNIC: In Pursuit of Petroleum Pigs, Power Pirates, and High-Finance Carnivores by Greg Palast Having spent decades studying oil and money, Greg Palast delivers a globetrotting investigation that blows the lid off the oil industry, the banking industry, and the governmental agencies that aren't regulating either. This is the story of the corporate vultures that feed on the weak and ruin the planet in the process - a story that spans the globe and decades. "From Houston to New Orleans to Alaska to Liberia to Switzerland, Mr. Palast does as Woodward and Bernstein were told to do in All the President's Men - follow the money. What follows is a tale of how transnational capital has decimated the lives of the poor across the planet. The oil companies polluted the people and the environment and the vultures of high finance have swooped in and forced foreign governments to kowtow to the will of their corporate overseers. The result of his investigation will open your eyes and make you think twice about what you think you know." — Paul B. Kennedy. "You can't make this stuff up. If you like thrillers, why read fake stuff when the real stories Palast tells are even more amazing, way out and riveting. And the results of the stories are muckraking and exposes that will knock your socks off." — OpEd News.
  (Simon & Schuster)	STEVE JOBS by Walter Isaacson From the author of the bestselling biographies of Benjamin Franklin and Albert Einstein, this is the exclusive biography of Steve Jobs. Based on more than forty interviews with Jobs conducted over two years - as well as interviews with more than a hundred family members, friends, adversaries, competitors, and colleagues - Walter Isaacson has written a riveting story of the roller-coaster life and searingly intense personality of a creative entrepreneur whose passion for perfection and ferocious drive revolutionized six industries: personal computers, animated movies, music, phones, tablet computing, and digital publishing. "An unforgettable tale of a one-of-a-kind visionary. Isaacson's portrait of this complex, often unlikable genius is, to quote Jobs, 'insanely great.' Jobs was an American original, and Isaacson's impeccably researched, vibrant biography - fully endorsed by his subject - does his legacy proud." — Kirkus Reviews.
  (Grand Central)	LADY GAGA by Terry Richardson In this book of original, behind-the-scenes photographs, an acclaimed photographer follows the superstar during one year of her life, from Lollapalooza through the final show of her Monster Ball tour. Richardson captures Lady Gaga as you've never seen her before. A year-long global odyssey--all access, nothing off limits--this is the book Lady Gaga fans have been waiting for. "Terry Richardson's brand-new photo book shows the wild, funky, creative Gaga that we all know and love. Richardson followed Gaga for ten months, chronicling her day-to-day life . . . doing yoga in her underwear, not doing yoga but still wearing her underwear, wearing clothes in the bathtub, and modeling in Mugler's Paris fashion show. The hefty book comes with more than 350 images!" — New York Magazine.
  (Doubleday)	HEDY'S FOLLY: The Life and Breakthrough Inventions of Hedy Lamarr, the Most Beautiful Woman in the World by Richard Rhodes A HUFFINGTON POST BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR What other book brings together Hollywood glamor, secret weapons, 1920's Paris, Nazis, and digital wireless into one satisfying and riveting biography? Living a secret life as an engineer and inventor, but labled as "the most beautiful woman in the world", screen siren Hedy Lamarr and her husband, avant-garde composer George Antheil, invented a technique called frequency-hopping spread spectrum which laid the groundwork for today's Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and other wireless technologies. "Rhodes's beguiling book shows Hedy Lamarr to have been a secret weapon in more ways than one." — The Daily Beast. "Richard Rhodes' enlightening and exciting chronicle is unique in its illumination of why and how Hedy Lamarr conceived of an epoch-shaping technology. Rhodes incisively, wittily, and dramatically brings to light a singular convergence of two beyond-category artists who overtly and covertly changed the world." — Booklist *** starred review ***.
  (Twelve)	MAN SEEKS GOD by Eric Weiner A New York Times and NPR correspondent presents a perspective on religion that is sure to delight, inspire, and entertain. After a health scare leaves him reeling, Eric Weiner - an atheist by default - sets out on a worldwide search for an experience of the divine. His journey takes place at a time when more Americans than ever - nearly one in three - are choosing a new faith. At each stop along the way, the author tackles pressing spiritual questions. With his trademark wit and warmth, Weiner leaves no stone unturned. "Throughout this marvelously entertaining journey, precious and universal truths emerge amid the churning of Weiner's self-consciousness intellect and self-deprecating sense of humor. Weiner manages to suspend disbelief long enough to share tales of divine wonders, a possibility in all of us." — Booklist *** starred review ***.
  (Hyperion)	THE ECSTASY OF DEFEAT edited by John Krewson A hilarious collection of the best sports articles in the history of The Onion, America's Finest News Source. Satirical looks at the egotistical athletes, embarrassing teams, ridiculous story lines, and head-scratching plays that make the world of sports so ripe for parody. "The Onion is the funniest publication in the United States." — The New Yorker. "The Onion people make the most consistently perfect and excoriating social commentary we currently have" — Dave Eggers. "This publication is tasteless and destructive to our shared values. Read it for yourself and you'll see what I mean. Seriously, what else could make me laugh - much less laugh uproariously - while being offended?" — Al Gore.
  (Grand Central)	SHAQ UNCUT: My Story by Shaquille O'Neal Shaquille O'Neal is a four-time NBA champion and a three-time NBA Finals MVP. But there is a lot more to him than basketball. In this candid new autobiography, he discusses his colorful career, NBA victories, and his thoughts on major NBA names. "The retired NBA giant with the huge game and personality to match dominates in this boisterous memoir that flits between arena, locker-room and an off-court life lived large. ONeal has intriguing insights into the fraught group dynamics: the persistent tension between automatically passing the ball to the star and giving lesser teammates a shot; the rivalry between alpha dogs and up-and-comers; the slightly jealous mentoring of young phenoms by aging, diminished veterans. Preening and prickly, Shaqs reminiscences illuminate the knotty psychology behind the swagger." — Publishers Weekly. "Question his free-throw shooting ability or willingness to absorb his share of responsibility when things go wrong, but it's hard to question his charisma. Symbolic of Shaq's career: consistently captivating." — Kirkus Reviews.

• Non-Fiction: Just Released in Paperback (Aisle 2-B)
  

  (Penguin)	BATTLE HYMN OF THE TIGER MOTHER by Amy Chua All decent parents want to do what's best for their children. The Chinese just have a totally different idea of how to do that. An awe-inspiring, often hilarious, and unerringly honest story of one mother's exercise in extreme parenting, revealing the rewards - and the costs - of raising her children the Chinese way. "Chua imparts the secret behind the stereotypical Asian child's phenomenal success: the Chinese mother. Chua promotes what has traditionally worked very well in raising children: strict, Old World, uncompromising values - and the parents don't have to be Chinese. . . Chua and her Jewish husband (both are professors at Yale Law) raised two girls, and her account of their formative years achieving amazing success in school and music performance proves both a model and a cautionary tale." — Publishers Weekly. "This is one outrageous book, partly thanks to Amy Chua's writing style - Chua is pugnacious and blunt, with an unerring nose for the absurd. The issues inherent in Battle Hymn are as important as they are entertaining. I was riveted!" — The Boston Globe.
  (Penguin)	ALAN LOMAX: THE MAN WHO RECORDED THE WORLD by John Szwed Alan Lomax is best remembered as the man who introduced folk music to the masses. Featuring a cast of characters that includes Eleanor Roosevelt and Bob Dylan, Szwed's fascinating biography provides a remarkable account of an era as seen through the life of one extraordinary man. This authoritative work reveals how Lomax changed not only the way everyone in the country heard music but also the way they viewed America itself. "Son of Texas scholar John A. Lomax, he put his father's life on a new track in 1933, when, at teenaged Alan's urging, the pair undertook a Southern recording expedition for the Library of Congress, which climaxed with the discovery of singer-guitarist Lead Belly. The younger Lomax went on to extensively document the music of Haiti, conduct famous sessions with Woody Guthrie and Muddy Waters and rescue jazz pioneer Jelly Roll Morton from obscurity. . . Lomax emerges as a brilliant, driven and often conflicted man who revolutionized the study of folk music." — Kirkus Reviews.
  (Gotham)	THE AMAZING STORY OF QUANTUM MECHANICS: A Math-Free Exploration of the Science That Made Our World by James Kakalios A remarkably accessible - and math-free - primer on quantum mechanics. Using illustrations and examples from science fiction pulp magazines and comic books, the author explains the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics that underlie the world we live in. "A no-tears foray into the theoretical physics that opened the world of lasers, laptop computers, DVDs, and cell phones. Readers need no more than basic algebra to accompany comic-book heroes into well-illustrated explanations of quantum packets of light energy, of the wave functions of particles, and even of the angular spin inherent in both energy and matter. These basic principles illuminate the solid-state physics of semiconductors, the atomic magnetism of MRIs, and the nanotechnology of high-capacity storage batteries. And all of this conceptual heavy lifting comes with entertaining episodes from DC Comics and H. G. Wells fiction. Physics has never been more fun!" — Booklist *** starred review ***.
  (Vintage)	THE HIDDEN REALITY: Parallel Universes and the Deep Laws of the Cosmos by Brian Greene From the author of The Elegant Universe and The Fabric of the Cosmos comes his most thrilling and accessible book to date - a state-of-the-art tour of the cutting-edge science that is changing the way we see our world. "Few living writers write so lucidly about such complicated stuff. A wonderful way to coax your brain into a host of strange and unfamiliar domains." — The Boston Globe. "Mr. Greene has a gift for elucidating big ideas . . . Exciting and rewarding, The Hidden Reality captures and engages the imagination" — Janet Maslin, The New York Times. "An in-depth yet marvelously accessible look inside the perplexing world of modern theoretical physics and cosmology. A lucid, intriguing, and triumphantly understandable state-of-the-art look at the universe" — Publishers Weekly *** starred review ***.
  (Picador)	LISTEN TO THIS by Alex Ross BEST MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEAR: The Daily Telegraph (U.K.) Whether his subject is Mozart or Bob Dylan, Brahms or Radiohead, Verdi or Bjork, Ross shows how music expresses the full complexity of the human condition. Witty, passionate, and brimming with insight, Listen to This teaches people how to listen. "The ideal introduction not only to the author's criticism, but to what it means to be a great music critic. What is truly remarkable is his gift to divine meaning within the aggregate of the musical styles, traditions and personalities to which he exposes readers. A celebration of what it means to be alive in a world of great music." — Kirkus Reviews. "A brilliant collection. Ross nimbly finds the common ground on which 16th-century Spanish musicians, Bach, players from Ellington's 1940 band, and Led Zeppelin's bassist John Paul Jones can stand." — Publishers Weekly *** starred review ***. "Bringing a pop fan's enthusiasm to the composers and treating the rock stars seriously as musicians, a joy for a pop fan or a classical aficionado." — The New York Times.
  (St. Martin's Griffin)	ORANGE SUNSHINE: The Brotherhood of Eternal Love and Its Quest to Spread Peace, Love, and Acid to the World by Nicholas Schou An riveting narrative of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll that runs from Laguna Beach to Maui to Afghanistan. The Brotherhood began in the mid-1960s as a small band of peace-loving, adventure-seeking surfers. After discovering LSD, they took to Timothy Leary's mantra of "Turn on, tune in, and drop out" and resolved to make that vision a reality by becoming the biggest group of acid dealers and hashish smugglers in the nation, and literally providing the fuel for the psychedelic revolution in the process. Journalist Nicholas Schou takes us deep inside the Brotherhood, combining exclusive interviews with both the group's surviving members as well as the cops who chased them. "Nicholas Schou manages - amazingly - to penetrate four decades of silence. The result is a mind-blowing scrap of found history, like something buried deep in the earth - and you cannot avert your eyes. Schou has crafted a definitive history of the dark side of the 1960s." — The Los Angeles Times. "Orange Sunshine is as close to an 'authorized' story as there's likely to be. The Brotherhood's story reads like some mystical adventure tale from a long-gone era. For a peek at those heady times, Orange Sunshine is one worthy flashback." — The San Francisco Chronicle.
  (Harper)	ATLANTIC: Great Sea Battles, Heroic Discoveries, Titanic Storms, and a Vast Ocean of a Million Stories by Simon Winchester Blending history and anecdote, geography and reminiscence, science and exposition, Simon Winchester tells the breathtaking saga of the magnificent Atlantic Ocean, setting it against the backdrop of mankind's intellectual evolution. Spanning the earth's geological origins to the age of exploration, World War II battles to modern pollution, his narrative is epic and awe-inspiring. "The prolific journalist and historian returns with a story both geographically immense and profoundly personal." — Kirkus Reviews *** starred review ***. "With his excellent research and engrossing anecdotes about the ocean as a 'living thing,' Winchester spotlights its inspiration on poets, painters, and writers in its majestic beauty. Winchester's sea saga is necessary reading for those who want to understand the planet better." — Publishers Weekly. "Winchester brings a knowledge as vast and deep as his subject to this history of the Atlantic Ocean." — Entertainment Weekly.
  (Hyperion)	IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE: Dale, Daytona, and the Day That Changed Everything by Michael Waltrip & Ellis Henican In this riveting memoir of NASCAR's most colorful character, racing legend Michael Waltrip focuses heavily on his historic win at the 2001 Daytona 500 - which was immediately followed by news of the tragic death of racing legend Dale Earnhardt. "This is a genuinely heartfelt memoir that is equal parts autobiography and tribute to Earnhardt. Waltrip recounts his racing career, his relationship with brother Darrell, a three-time NASCAR champion, and the career boost he got from the confidence shown in him by Earnhardt. Though sadness and loss are a big part of Waltrip's story, he balances them with humor and joy. A really wonderful read." — Booklist *** starred review ***. "There are many stories here that Earnhardt fans will appreciate and that will no doubt add to Earnhardt's legacy. Written in the breezy, conversational style expected from Waltrip, this is an entertaining and rewarding read. Solidly recommended!" — Library Journal.

• Poetry: New in Paperback (Aisle 2-A)
  

  (Penguin)	LIGHTHEAD by Terrance Hayes THE 2010 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER FOR POETRY In his fourth collection, Terrance Hayes investigates how we construct experience. With one foot firmly grounded in the everyday and the other hovering in the air, his poems braid dream and reality into a poetry that is both dark and buoyant. This innovative collection presents the light-headedness of a mind trying to pull against gravity and time. Lighthead leaves us illuminated and scorched. "Hayes returns in his fourth book with the kinds of sly, twisting, hip, jazzy poems his fans have come to expect, but also with a new somberness of tone and mature caution. . . The book also contains a surprisingly effective series of poems based on a form called "pecha kucha", which, Hayes explains, is a type of Japanese business presentation in which the presenter must riff on a series of slides or images. . . Hayes, now entering mid-career, remains one of our best poets." — Publishers Weekly *** starred review ***.
  (Houghton Mifflin)	MASTER OF DISGUISES by Charles Simic In his first volume of poetry since his tenure as poet laureate, Charles Simic shows he is at the height of his poetic powers. These new poems mine the rich strain of inscrutability in ordinary life, until it is hard to know what is innocent and what ominous. There is something about his work that continues to be crystal clear and yet deeply weighted with violence and mystery. Reading it is like going undercover. "As always, Simic brings to light the richness of life's objects and thus embraces a vital task of poetry. Recommended for all readers." — Library Journal. "This 20th collection from the former U.S. poet laureate could just be his best book." — Publishers Weekly *** starred review ***.
  (Harper)	HOWL: A Graphic Novel by Allen Ginsberg | Illustrated by Eric Drooker First published in 1956, Allen Ginsberg's Howl is a prophetic epic raging against dehumanizing society that overcame censorship trials and obscenity charges to become one of the most widely read poems of the century. Acclaimed for his New Yorker cover art and for his graphic novels Flood and Blood Song, painter Eric Drooker had earlier collaborated with Ginsberg on Illuminated Poems. Now Drooker illuminates Ginsberg's masterpiece, visualizing Howl stanza by stanza, and the result is a magnificent visual interpretation of a classic work by a seminal Beat writer and contemporary of Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs.
  (Farrar Straus Giroux)	THE SPIRIT LEVEL: Poems by Seamus Heaney Winner of the Costa Book Award, the most prestigious literary prize in the U.K., this is the first book of poems Heaney published after winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1995. "Not just a new book but a book with newness in it. It marks a sustained effort, not exactly to unite the two parts of himself and his cultural inheritance but rather to make the line between them more permeable than before." — Nicholas Jenkins, London Times Literary Supplement. "So many of Heaney's poems have become personal lodestones for us that reading this new book is like awakening to an experience both fresh and familiar. . . .Heaney offers a vision that is a powerful tonic against the fin de siecle alienation and solipsism touted by fashionable literary criticism." — Richard Tillinghast, New York Times Book Review
  (Wesleyan University Press)	PLEASURE DOME: New and Collected Poems by Yusef Komunyakaa The winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1994 (as well as the Bronze Star for his service as a war correspondent in Vietnam), Yusef Komunyakaa has become one of America's most compelling poets. Pleasure Dome gathers the poems of over two and a half decades of Komunyakaa's work, including 25 early, uncollected poems and a rich selection of 18 new poems. "[Pleasure Dome] attests to the protean nature of his poetic imagination and skills, his fluent creative energy, and his passion for living the examined life . . . Komunyakaa is emerging as one of the major American poets of our time." — Booklist *** starred review ***
  (Wesleyan University Press)	SILENCE IN THE SNOWY FIELDS by Robert W. Bly A passionate spokesperson for the healing powers of literature and myth, Robert Bly is credited with rejuvenating public interest in poetry and the imaginative arts in late twentieth-century America. Silence in the Snowy Fields, his first book of poems, signaled a new beginning in American poetry in the early 1960s and it immediately put Bly on the literary map, disarming readers and critics with its clear-sighted intelligence and apparent simplicity. Unlike much of the academically based American poetry of its time, Bly's work aimed at a kind of Oriental balance in which human beings participate in but do not dominate nature. Many still find Silence in the Snowy Fields one of Bly's most healing books. It remains his signature volume.

• Young Adult & Juvenile Fiction & Non-Fiction: Just Released (Children's Books Section)
  

  (Harper)	WINNER OF THE 2011 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR YOUNG PEOPLE'S LITERATURE INSIDE OUT & BACK AGAIN by Thanhha Lai Hΰ is 10 when Saigon falls and her family flees Vietnam. First on a ship, then in two refugee camps, and then finally in Alabama, she and her family struggle to fit in and make a home. Based on the author's childhood experiences, this is the moving story of one girl's year of change, dreams, grief, and healing as she journeys from one country to another, one life to the next. "An enlightening, poignant and unexpectedly funny novel in verse. In her not-to-be-missed debut, Lai evokes a distinct time and place and presents a complex, realistic heroine whom readers will recognize, even if they haven't found themselves in a strange new country." — Kirkus Reviews *** starred review ***.
  (Razorbill)	THE FUTURE OF US by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler It's 1996, and American high-school students are just discovering the Internet. Emma just got her first computer and an America Online CD-ROM. Josh is her best friend. They power up and log on - and discover themselves on Facebook, 15 years in the future. "An ingenious hook, compelling characters, and thought-provoking content. Asher and Mackler's concept is fascinating." — Publishers Weekly *** starred review ***. "A thoughtful meditation on how current ideas and actions can change our futures. A clever, timely story that will attract any teen with a Facebook account." — Booklist *** starred review ***. "If you had the chance to see what your life would be like 15 years in the future, would you take it? Without question, a page-turner!" — Kirkus Reviews. "Highly engaging! A tremendously likable, soul-searching romantic comedy and a subtle reminder to occasionally unplug and live in the moment." — School Library Journal.
  (Baen)	STARMAN JONES by Robert Heinlein Young hobby-astronomer Max Jones finds himself on an unexpected adventure as a stowaway aboard an intergalactic spaceship. When disaster strikes, he must use his untested knowledge in order to survive. From the Golden Age of Heinlein, this is the so-called juvenile novel (written, Heinlein always claims, just as much for adults) that started them all and made Heinlein a legend for multiple generations of readers. A young hero the reader cares deeply about, memorable and complex characters, ethical dilemnas to overcome, grand adventure - all the hallmarks of Heinlein's vast talent come to bear in this thoroughly satisfying novel. "Superior science-fiction. . . carefully plotted, lucidly and beautifully written." — The New York Times.
  (Simon & Schuster)	WITHER by Lauren DeStefano (Chemical Garden Trilogy, Book I) In the late 21st century thanks to a botched effort to create a perfect race, all females live to age 20 and males live to age 21. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed. At age 16, Rhine Ellery has four years to live. This is her story. "DeStefano's harrowing debut initially comes across as The Handmaid's Tale for Young Adult readers. DeStefano, however, forgoes larger social analysis to depict the personal impact of a dystopian future on Rhine and Gabriel, teenagers with a handful of years to live. DeStefano has an observant and occasionally pitiless eye, chronicling the cruelties, mercies, and inconsistencies of her young characters. It will be intriguing to see how DeStefano develops it as this promising trilogy progresses." — Publishers Weekly *** starred review ***. "This beautifully-written debut fantasy, with its intriguing world-building, well-developed characters and intricate plot involving flashbacks as well as edge-of-the-seat suspense, will keep teens riveted." — Voice of Youth Advocates.
  (Schwartz & Wade)	NEVER FORGOTTEN by Patricia C McKissack | Illustrated by Leo & Diane Dillon This gorgeous book by Newbery Honor winner Patricia C. McKissack and two-time Caldecott Medal-winning husband-and-wife team Leo and Diane Dillon is sure to become a treasured keepsake. Set in West Africa, here is a lyrical story-in-verse about a young black boy who is kidnapped and sold into slavery, which will remind children that their slave ancestors should never be forgotten, and that family is more important than anything else. "Forceful and iconic. The willingness to turn the dark history of the past into literature takes not just talent but courage. McKissack has both." — Publishers Weekly *** starred review ***. "A moving story of loss and transcendence, and a loving tribute to the power of memory. McKissack's writing is as rhythmic and sure as the sound of the drumbeats she describes in the narrative. The pictures demonstrate the miracle of superb book illustration: how something that lies flat on the page can convey such depth, texture, and feeling." — School Library Journal *** starred review ***.
  (HMH)	THE PS BROTHERS by Maribeth Boelts Russell and Shawn call themselves the PS Brothers: P is for "poop, " S is for "scoop, " and "Brothers" is because they're best friends. These two are "crazy" about dogs and scooping poop is the fastest way to earn money to buy a puppy. And they're sure that once their puppy grows into a tough dog, no one will ever pick on them for being weak or poor again. Unfortunately, getting a puppy is not that easy. Russell and Shawn don't count on uncovering a dog-fighting ring - and that can bust apart a dream faster than a dog can sniff out a bone. But doing the right thing might still get them what they want--and maybe even more. "Heartwarming yet full of gritty issues." — Kirkus Reviews. "Part of the appeal of this book is its edginess. Shawn's and Russell's hardscrabble existences and their heartfelt yearning for a dog to defend them are compelling." — School Library Journal.
  (Hyperion)	SISTERS OF ISIS (Volume I: The Summoning and Divine One) by Lynne Ewing Now finally available in an omnibus edition, the first and second books in one of the most reader-acclaimed mythology series ever! Meri, Sudi, and Dalila are three fifteen-year-old girls who live in Washington, D.C., but have little else in common. Or so they think. When an ancient magic is revealed, so are their true identities as the Sisters of Isis. Could it really be that these three girls are the descendants of Egyptian pharaohs, powerful ancestors who have given them magical gifts and powers of transformation? But when evil forces begin to threaten their world, the girls have no choice but to believe. And when Apep, the Egyptian god of darkness and chaos, begins devouring innocent people and bringing unnatural storms, the girls will have to act!
  (Little Brown)	EVERYBODY SEES THE ANTS by A. S. King Overburdened by his parents' bickering and a bully's attacks, Lucky Linderman begins dreaming of being with his grandfather, who went missing during the Vietnam War. In his dreams, Lucky escapes to the war-ridden jungles of Laos where Lucky can be a real man, an adventurer, and a hero. It's dangerous and wild, and it's a place where his life just might be worth living. But how long can Lucky keep hiding in his dreams before reality forces its way inside? "A resonant, uplifting story about not just getting through, but powering through, the tough times." — Kirkus Reviews. "Blending magic and realism, this is a subtly written, profoundly honest novel about a kid falling through the cracks and pulling himself back up." — Booklist *** starred review ***. "A haunting but at times funny tale about what it means to want to take one's life, but rising above it so that living becomes the better option." — School Library Journal *** starred review ***. "One of the most believable teen male characters in young adult fiction. This unique coming-of-age story will hold tremendous appeal." — Voice of Youth Advocates Magazine *** starred review ***.

• Children's Books: Just Released (Children's Books Section)
  

  (HMH)	THE HOUSE IN THE NIGHT by Susan Marie Swanson | Illustrated by Beth Krommes A Caldecott Medal-winning bedtime classic is available in a board book edition for the first time. Swanson's elegant prose and Krommes's spectacular illustrations open up a nighttime world where ordinary objects become beautifully illuminated. "Krommes's breathtaking scratchboard illustrations embody and enhance the text's message that light and dark, like comfort and mystery, are not mutually exclusive, but integral parts of each other." — Kirkus Reviews *** starred review ***. "The art is spectacular. A beautiful piece of bookmaking that will delight both parents and children." — Booklist *** starred review ***. "Swanson weaves a soothing song that is as luminescent and soulful as the gorgeous illustrations that accompany her words. This picture book will make a strong impression on listeners making their first acquaintance with literature. It is a masterpiece that has all the hallmarks of a classic that will be loved for generations to come." — School Library Journal *** starred review ***.
  (Hyperion)	MOUSENET by Prudence Breitrose | Illustrated by Stephanie Yue Ten-year-old Megan helps her uncle invent the Thumbtop, the world's smallest computer. And mice are overjoyed. For years, they've been looking for a computer that fits in the average mouse hole - and here it is. In return for her help, the evolved mice of Mouse Nation promise that Megan will become the most powerful girl alive. With the Mouse Nation behind her there's no limit to what she can do - for her family, and for the planet. "Genuine goodwill, humor and impressive believability will have readers longing for mice as friends - not to mention political allies." — Kirkus Reviews.
  (Abrams)	DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: CABIN FEVER by Jeff Kinney The sixth book in the phenomenally popular series has arrived! Greg Heffley is in big trouble. School property has been damaged, and Greg is the prime suspect. But the crazy thing is, he's innocent. Mostly. The authorities are closing in, but when a surprise blizzard hits, the Heffley family is trapped indoors. Greg knows that when the snow melts he's going to have to face the music, but could any punishment be worse than being stuck inside with your family for the holidays? "It certainly delivers what series fans have grown to expect: "hand-lettered" text on lined, faux-journal pages and cartoon vignettes depicting the opinions and misadventures of antihero and diarist Greg Heffley. Kinney has built a world that has potential for truly subversive humor and has a fan base willing to go wherever he takes it." — Kirkus Reviews.
  (HMH)	SWIRL BY SWIRL: Spirals in Nature Written by Joyce Sidman | Illustrated by Beth Krommes A Caldecott medalist and a Newbery Honor-winning poet celebrate the beauty and value of spirals. With simplicity and grace, Krommes and Sidman reveal the many spirals in nature - from fiddleheads to elephant tusks - in full vibrant color. "From the endpapers that gather together all the spirals depicted to the spiraling text on the title page verso, this book is elegantly constructed, and as poetry, picture book, or nonfiction, a success in every way." — Horn Book Magazine *** starred review ***. "The observations, from a few words to a couple sentences, are tucked neatly into Krommes's gorgeous scratchboard spreads. Rich, deep colors enhance panoramas of marine creatures moving through curling ocean waves or a close-up view of dew glinting on the web of an orb spider. This book will encourage youngsters to look for spirals in their own surroundings. First-rate!" — School Library Journal *** starred review ***.
  (First Second)	NURSERY RHYME COMICS by Chris Duffy The list of contributors to this inventive volume of comics-style nursery rhymes reads like a who's who of the graphic novel kingdom. Featuring fifty classic nursery rhymes illustrated and interpreted in comics form by fifty of today's preeminent cartoonists and illustrators, this is a groundbreaking new entry in the canon of nursery rhymes treasuries. Chock full of engaging full-color artwork and favorite characters, this collection will be treasured by children for years to come. "An anthology that is funny, strange, sweet, and surprising. The dizzying variety of mediums, styles, and techniques employed by these artists joyfully demonstrates the range and the limits to which the comics can be pushed." — School Library Journal *** starred review ***. "A memorable showcase. The high levels of wit and invention never falter." — Kirkus Reviews *** starred review ***.
  (Hyperion)	MUSTACHE by Mac Barnett | Illustrated by Kevin Cornell King Duncan is terribly handsome, but a terrible king. His kingdom is in ruins, and when his subjects appeal for help, he only builds more tributes to his handsome face. His subjects are finally ready to stand up for themselves, and they have just the plan to get out of this hairy situation. A mustache - because sometimes good looks alone just aren't enough! "When his subjects revolt, King Duncan's solution (yet another giant billboard of his royal visage, this one declaring, 'I'm Great!') forces them to use the graffiti artist's most potent weapon: the scribbled mustache. Duncan, naturally, is outraged, and his attempts to ferret out the culprit result in even more absurdity. Mac Barnett's gift for humor is as sharp as ever." — Publishers Weekly. "Barnett delivers a sweet slap to vanity. Cornell ushers the story forward with cinematic artwork, framed in elaborate medieval-like borders but paced sequentially like a comic book. Kids will giggle all the way!" — Kirkus Reviews.
  (Hyperion)	ONCE UPON A TIME: A Collection of Classic Fairy Tales from the Grimm Brothers Written & Illustrated by Kevin Tong “Once upon a time . . .” Four simple words that, after more than two centuries, still have the ability to transport readers to lands of mystery, intrigue, and betrayal, life and death, love and abandon. Timeless are the tales of the Brothers Grimm who, in an effort to preserve native folklore, unwittingly crafted a cornerstone of Western literature. With this book of fairy tales, beautifully illustrated by artist Kevin Tong, reacquaint yourself and your children with the stories and characters you know and love. Run through the forest with Little Red Cap. Attend the ball with Cinderella. Eat an apple with Snow White. From witches to fairies, evil queens to kindly kings, frog princes and sleeping beauties, the Grimm tales are classics that are truly meant to be shared with young and old alike.
  (Little, Brown)	HOW TO BREAK A DRAGON'S HEART (HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: Book 8) by Cressida Cowell Stranded on the exceptionally dangerous, and possibly haunted, Beach of the Broken Heart, Hiccup must face Ug the Uglithug and complete the Impossible Task - or die trying. Along the way, he'll have to battle Berserks, dodge Scarers, and save Fishlegs from being fed to the Beast, all while being hunted down by an old enemy with a dark secret about the mysterious Lost Throne. With Toothless by his side, and time to stage his rescue running out, what's a Hero to do? "A wildly enjoyable comic fantasy. The hilarious farce will appeal to heroic fiction fans as much as to scaredy-cats, especially since the author extends the nonstop parody with messy black-and-white pencil sketches of the bumbling bedlam." — Booklist. "Short chapters, clever slapstick, kid-pleasing character names will keep even reluctant readers turning these pages - and chuckling as they go." — Publishers Weekly.

• Fantasy, Science Fiction & Horror: New in Paperback (Aisle 2-B)
  

  (NYRB)	RED SHIFT by Alan Garner A deeply rewarding and complex work of fantasy that you will probably never forget! Three separate stories, three utterly different lives, three periods in time are strangely linked to a single place, the mysterious, looming outcrop known as Mow Cop, and a single object, the blunt head of a stone axe. All these come together in Alan Garner's extraordinary Red Shift, a pyrotechnical and deeply moving elaboration on themes of chance and fate, time and eternity, visionary awakening and destructive madness. "A magnificently multilayered novel. A superbly exciting piece of literature." — The Sunday Times (U.K.). "A bitter, complex, brilliant book." — Ursula K. Le Guin.
  (Tor)	SONGS OF THE DYING EARTH edited by George R.R. Martin & Gardner Dozois To honor the magnificent career of Jack Vance, one unparalleled in achievement and impact, the editors have created a Jack Vance tribute anthology of 23 original stories set in the far future of Vance's classic The Dying Earth. The best modern fantasy writers return to the unique and evocative milieu, from which they and so many others have drawn so much inspiration, to create their own brand-new adventures in the world of Jack Vance's greatest work. "When well-known writers vie to create short stories to honor a fellow writer, great things can be expected. Without exception, each of the stories included here would stand on its own, but when taken together, the collection is astounding." — Booklist. "These stories not only capture the unique feel of Vance's dying universe but stand individually as one of the strongest gatherings of writers to pay homage to one of their own. This is highly recommended!" — Library Journal *** starred review ***.
  (Tor)	GANYMEDE by Cherie Priest Airship captain Andan Cly accepts a mysterious mission to pilot an astonishing war machine - the "Ganymede" - an immense submarine that could change the course of the Civil War. This latest entry in the Clockwork Century series is a delicious cross-country alternate-history adventure ranging from the bayous of Louisiana to an underground settlement in Seattle. Cherie Priest's followup to Boneshaker and Dreadnought continues to challenge steampunk norms. Priest skilfully demonstrates that the genre can and should be enlarged, and that there are many ways to play with the imperial themes that inevitably creep into many works of a steampunkish bent. "Lush world-building that promises a dazzling array of possibilities, terrific characters, and a whopping good time." — Global Comment.
  (Roc)	UNDER HEAVEN by Guy Gavriel Kay Shen Tai, son of an illustrious general serving the Emperor of Kitai, has received a gift of 250 Sardian horses - the most coveted steeds in the Empire. But the gift has not only conferred great power upon him but terrible danger as well. Inspired by the glory and power of 8th-century Tang dynasty China, Guy Gavriel Kay has created a masterpiece. "I loved, loved, loved Under Heaven. It has everything! Perfect!" — Nancy Pearl, Book Commentator NPR Morning Edition. "Meticulously researched yet seamlessly envisioned, the characters and culture present a timeless tale of filial piety and personal integrity. Highly recommended! — Library Journal *** starred review ***. "A magnificent epic, flawlessly crafted, that draws the reader in like a whirlwind and doesn't let go." — The Huffington Post. "The complex intrigues of poets, prostitutes, ministers, and soldiers evolve into a fascinating, sometimes bloody, and entirely believable tale." — Publishers Weekly.
  (St. Martin's Griffin)	HANDLING THE UNDEAD by John Ajvide Lindqvist From the author of the powerful vampire novel Let the Right One In comes a horror novel that transcends its genre by showing what the return of the dead might really mean to those who loved them. "John Ajvide Lindqvist is a master philosopher of the horror genre." — The Washington Post. "The author effectively accents his expressive, unnerving writing. In the process he offers a unique and humanistic take on the undead. What's interesting is the way that it's handled with sincere reflection on what would happen if the dead arose. How would the government respond? What does it mean to be human if death is not the end? And perhaps most importantly, how would we feel if those we loved and lost were suddenly returned to us? A philosophical story about fears to which no beating heart is immune." — Kirkus Reviews *** starred review ***.

• Mystery/Crime/Espionage Fiction: New in Paperback (Aisle 2-B)
  

  (Penguin)	THE DISPATCHER by Ryan David Jahn HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! A can't-put-it-down, stomach-churning page-turner! A white-knuckle thriller about the lengths a man will go to for his daughter, this skillfully crafted novel features a bullet-strewn cross-country chase from Texas to California along Interstate10 that will raise your adrenaline level to the point where you can hear your heart thump. "The breathless pace virtually demands a single-sitting read. Over the past few years a new generation of crime writers has come perilously close to recreating the jaded mindset of the classic noir thrillers, but no one has succeeded quite like Jahn. He leads the new noir pack with a series of palm-sweating situations that pay homage to the classics of the genre while feeling entirely fresh." — The Financial Times (U.K.). "Reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy's tales of vengeance, The Dispatcher is an impressively accomplished performance that never strains for mythic power but nevertheless acquires it." — The Guardian (U.K.). "Comparisons to Tarantino and the Coen brothers seem perfectly appropriate. The writing has a sensory feel. The chases, the gun battles, and the images of a sun-blasted land add up to a stunning read." — Booklist.
  (Broadway)	SISTER by Rosamund Lupton A riveting story of fierce love between siblings, Sister is a suspenseful and accomplished debut that received rave reviews from readers and critics in the U.K. Bea Hemming hurries back to London from her home in New York when she hears her younger sister Tess is missing. When the police find her body, Tess' death is ruled a suicide but Bea is convinced her sister has been murdered. Bea moves into Tess' apartment and her life, trying to find the killer she knows is there. "Beautifully written with an unexpected twist at the end." — Library Journal *** starred review ***. "A masterful, superlative-inspiring success that will hook readers (and keep them guessing) from page one. A chilling, gripping, tragic, heart-warming, life-affirming enigma of a story." — Booklist *** starred review ***. "Lupton enters the highly charged ring where the best psychological detective writers spar, her hands raised in a victory clench. She encircles her story with electrified ropes: new developments continually jolt her readers. Both tear-jerking and spine-tingling, Sister provides an adrenaline rush that could cause a chill on the sunniest afternoon." — The New York Times.
  (Penguin)	AN UNCERTAIN PLACE by Fred Vargas When Commissaire Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg is called to the scene of a ghastly and highly unusual murder in Paris, he thinks it can't have anything to do with the nine pairs of shoes and severed feet discovered outside of London's Highgate Cemetery just a few days earlier. With the help of the murdered man's gifted physician, Adamsberg delves into the victim's disturbed psyche. "Vargas explores humanity's devilish side, mixing bizarre, surreal crimes and a creepy atmosphere with well-drawn, idiosyncratic characters and lots of humor. How can you resist a crime squad that keeps a stash of wine in the office? Enjoy the roller-coaster ride. Great fun!" — Library Journal. "A brilliant Parisian sleuth untangles a grisly English crime with links to a French murder. An entirely satsfying adventure." — Kirkus Reviews. "Bizarre crimes drive Vargas' excellent sixth Commissaire Adamsberg mystery. Vargas, who's won the CWA International Dagger three times, keeps her zany plot under tight control all the way to the surprising finish." — Publishers Weekly *** starred review ***
  (Twelve)	THE SHERLOCKIAN by Graham Moore When literary researcher Harold White is inducted into the preeminent Sherlock Holmes enthusiast society, The Baker Street Irregulars, he is thrust into the hunt for the missing diary of Arthur Conan Doyle - and for the murderer of the world's leading Doyle scholar. "A truly terrific mystery! For a first book - actually, for any book - this is impressive. Among its virtues is a feel for the gas-lamp Victorian world. As we read, we understand Doyle's impatience with his world as well as White's yearning to return to it. For mystery lovers, this book is a treat. For Sherlock Holmes lovers, it is indispensible." — David Wolpe, The Huffington Post. "Exemplary weaving of historical fact and fiction. This is a novel clearly written with great affection, not just for Conan Doyle and Holmes, but their 21st-century fans as well." — The Associated Press. "One of the best! Moore spins his tale in prose that shifts easily from exposition to pathos to sly comedy. Mystery fans should love the mix of historical fiction and contemporary puzzle-solving. And Sherlockians? Try keeping them away!" — Booklist *** starred review ***. "It must be said of Graham Moore that he has his methods. Ingenious and amusing ones, too. You will enjoy their elucidation even if you are not a committed Sherlockian. The game's afoot!" — Christopher Hitchens.
  (Poisoned Pen)	A STUDY IN SHERLOCK: Stories Inspired by the Holmes Canon edited by Laurie R. King & Leslie S. Klinger What would happen if you asked eighteen top writers who don't normally write about Sherlock Holmes, to write about Sherlock Holmes? The result is A Study in Sherlock, with stories by Alan Bradley, Tony Broadbent, Jan Burke, Lionel Chetwynd, Lee Child, Colin Cotterill, Neil Gaiman, Laura Lippman, Gayle Lynds and John Sheldon, Phillip and Jerry Margolin, Margaret Maron, Thomas Perry, S. J. Rozan, Dana Stabenow, Charles Todd, and Jacqueline Winspear. These modern masters place the sleuth in suspenseful new situations, create characters who solve Holmesian mysteries, contemplate Holmes in his later years, fill gaps in the Sherlock Holmes Canon, and reveal their own personal obsessions with the Great Detective. This is absolutely one of the best mystery anthologies of the year!
  (Overlook)	NOIR by Robert Coover With impeccable skill, Coover, one of America's pioneering postmodernists, has turned the classic detective story inside-out. Noir is a true page-turner - wry, absurd, and desolate. "Metafiction lustily mates with hard-boiled mystery in this hilarious homage to Raymond Chandler and company. A sexy widow with plenty to hide hires private eye Philip M. Noir to look into her husband's mysterious death. Noir slips on his gumshoes and lacy underwear and hits the mean streets." — Publishers Weekly *** starred review ***. "As his dazzling career continues to demonstrate, Mr. Coover is a one-man Big Bang of exploding creative force." — The New York Times.
  (Broadway)	LEARNING TO SWIM by Sara J. Henry One of the most powerful and compelling mystery novels of the year. This one's special! Part thriller, part family tragedy, part tentative romance, it succeeds on all levels. After she witnesses a small boy being thrown into Lake Champlain, Troy Chance dives into the frigid water. She rescues the frightened boy only to discover that he had been kidnapped, and that he is the victim of a bizarre and bloody plot. "Sara J. Henry opens her first novel like a pro. The throbbing heart of the story is right out of Jane Eyre." — The New York Times. "A suspenseful mystery with a rich emotional texture." — Mystery Scene Magazine. "A compelling plot, a pervading sense of foreboding, well-constructed characters. Impressive. Henry adroitly handles Troy's exposure to new emotions as she re-examines her life and relationships." — Publishers Weekly.
  (Riverhead)	THE LAST DAYS OF PTOLEMY GREY by Walter Mosley A masterful novel about age, memory, and family from one of the true literary icons of our time. Ptolemy Grey is ninety-one years old and has been all but forgotten - by his family, his friends, even himself - as he sinks into a lonely dementia. Only his grand-nephew, Reggie, seems to care for him, but Reggie is killed in a driveby shooting. When a doctor offers him treatment with a radical experimental drug that will restore his mind and vigor, Ptolemy siezes his chance - and uses his new-found mental clarity to delve into the mystery of Reggie's death. But there is a price to pay. . . "Mosley's depiction of the indignities of old age is heartbreaking, and Ptolemy's grace and decency make for a wonderful character and a moving novel." — Publishers Weekly *** starred review ***. "Borrowing from Faust, the Iliad and Gran Torino, Mosley unforgettably transforms Ptolemy's cacophony of memories into a powerful symphony." — Kirkus Reviews *** starred review ***. "A deeply thoughtful, provocative, and often beautiful meditation on aging, memory, family, loss, and love. Ptolemy and Robynare are truly indelible characters. Mosley's story is ultimately life affirming, and his writing is by turns gritty and sublime. A truly fine novel." — Booklist *** starred review ***.
  (Grand Central)	TICK TOCK by James Patterson The fourth book in the Michael Bennett series by prolific author James Patterson is finally released in paperback. A rash of horrifying crimes tears through the city, throwing it into complete chaos and terrorizing the populace. Immediately, it becomes clear that they are not the work of an amateur, but of a calculating, efficient, and deadly mastermind. The city calls on Detective Michael Bennett, pulling him away from a seaside retreat with his ten adopted children, his grandfather, and their beloved nanny, Mary Catherine. When Bennett enlists the help of a former colleague, FBI Agent Emily Parker he finds his affection for Emily growing into something stronger, and his relationship with Mary Catherine takes an unexpected turn. All too soon, another appalling crime leads Bennett to a shocking discovery that exposes the killer's pattern and the earth-shattering enormity of his plan.