tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077618268540803082024-02-07T20:11:23.703-05:00FridayReadsEverything you need to know about the phenomenon that is FridayReadsErinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229093568907196459noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-86333703688481409982011-06-16T11:10:00.000-04:002011-06-16T11:10:00.315-04:00We're Moving!As FridayReads continues to grow, we're thrilled to announce that we have a brand new website! Starting later today, you will find us at <a href="http://www.fridayreads.com/">www.FridayReads.com</a>.<br />
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The new site has an archive of everything posted here, along with a bunch of new features.<br />
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See you there!Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229093568907196459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-27715342202951858402011-06-10T09:04:00.002-04:002011-06-10T09:07:10.880-04:00Prizes 6/10/11<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxaH6TT7YMPFPhSm5FTVeior0nMg81zV5y4vn9zA6j-XFO7Ad5UyTpDT7KyD80mS0vBRJL66LbMDQ8f09pRj81HSHplLsDuxvrDMP1i1UTKt-x2lPi7b5byEBbvXitpT6IxhYkZObOIa6/s320/9781439193310.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 206px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616576752486498338" />If you participate in FridayReads, whether it is on <a href="http://fridayreads.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/search/%23fridayreads">Twitter</a>, you could win a copy of <i>Best Kept Secret</i> by Amy Hatvany and published by <a href="http://books.simonandschuster.com/Best-Kept-Secret/Amy-Hatvany/9781439193310">Simon & Schuster</a>! <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNXPMs-7v4cuYcY9VxXEUSFlYgREVwYpUqcIFqd9KDTAGK6rnWyjkvTAjAPT5MmbfrGtiJHcOX1gA-VZSNr-DZBCKNHZojtdVVX4eDCY0TKse38JlYBPXt6w1ilAkoemBn3F1TzjI7EVd/s200/shelfunbound.bmp" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 166px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613966510624699874" /><div>Every participant in FridayReads is also eligible to download a free copy of the <a href="http://www.epaperflip.com/aglaia/viewer.aspx?docid=d66733eb150e48c1a8dbdf40ae9ddac6">latest Shelf Unbound magazine</a>, featuring the very best in indie publishing!</div><div><div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Leslie @ This is the Refrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18027804132268043518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-89804615223609310372011-06-10T07:44:00.005-04:002011-06-10T07:44:00.270-04:00Guest Blogger: Jessica Mahajan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HXdWs-hW9AcJNbLSfmxwWJ1fcwgDpMbebabpRm-iXpA8PHiWuTNvB0svJaay18O8cwsf3lMmvY53U1pQxLPePDkEUbZwXmtSbiVOjSCYqPNouxgbg2fNJwxzSKIXHZH2UoCcPEqkrhk/s1600/Jessica+Mahajan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HXdWs-hW9AcJNbLSfmxwWJ1fcwgDpMbebabpRm-iXpA8PHiWuTNvB0svJaay18O8cwsf3lMmvY53U1pQxLPePDkEUbZwXmtSbiVOjSCYqPNouxgbg2fNJwxzSKIXHZH2UoCcPEqkrhk/s200/Jessica+Mahajan.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Jessica Mahajan<br />
Blog: <a href="http://mrsgregginson.posterous.com/">mrsgregginson.posterous.com</a><br />
Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/mrsgregginson">@MrsGregginson</a><br />
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Throughout my years as an avid reader, I've noticed that the right book always finds me when I need it most. Like a well-timed hug or a breakthrough with a psychologist, the book I need comes to me to comfort, to help me realize something I've been denying, or to make me laugh at myself or life.<br />
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Whether it's the Nora Roberts book that helped me realize that choosing to be a stay-at-home mom is as feminist a decision as working full time (it is the right to choose that is key) or Francois Lelord's HECTOR AND THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS that reminded me that happiness is relative and dependent on your view of what's important and how you treat those important things, each book has value because each book gives you a new perspective.<br />
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The joy of books is that each one, whether a classic or a beach read, has something to offer. It's thanks in great part to my love of so-called "trashy" romance novels and the gruesome horrors of Stephen King that I have a substantial vocabulary.<br />
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Often, our first ah-ha moments come in books chosen by someone else, where we realize the world is bigger than us, more magical and frightening and amazing than we knew; that people are capable of expressing what feels like our thoughts with their words. (For me, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH by Roald Dahl, Doctorow's RAGTIME, and the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis stand out.)<br />
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When we get to choose our own books, it's all about looking through the stacks or shelves until something catches the eye, something about a color or the shape of the letters that stands out. Or, if we're lucky, there's the helpful clerk or fellow customer so in love with an author that they want you to be as well. And now we have social media to introduce us to authors and writing styles we might not have considered before.<br />
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Wherever you prefer to scan the titles, the book you need will find you and you will learn something, whether you meant to or not. That's why I keep reading.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229093568907196459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-16058806755764051832011-06-10T07:20:00.044-04:002011-06-10T07:20:00.372-04:00This is what your FridayReads team is reading now...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0I3JtVNrY4L-63CJOtI4PRpCltTWHpbR9SIbxelBO7-ymKhRvDgV-oNGqbte3H494BEhbSJml_32Db4TFn62YPa34XwPPZYNXImc89k8L72GAhrP_8i3Nmyu6JRq_SCls03O_PEDY50/s1600/The-Ridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0I3JtVNrY4L-63CJOtI4PRpCltTWHpbR9SIbxelBO7-ymKhRvDgV-oNGqbte3H494BEhbSJml_32Db4TFn62YPa34XwPPZYNXImc89k8L72GAhrP_8i3Nmyu6JRq_SCls03O_PEDY50/s200/The-Ridge.jpg" width="129" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bookmavenmedia.com/">Bethanne:</a></span></b> I just finished a delightful memoir, SEASON TO TASTE by Molly Birnbaum -- about how she lost her sense of smell after being hit by a car and renegotiated her path as a budding chef and food writer while learning about how smell affects our lives and brains. It's a must-read for foodies!<br />
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I'm starting THE RIDGE by Michael Koryta -- last week I was blown away by his THE CYPRESS HOUSE, and book blogger Jennifer Lawrence was kind enough to get me an extra copy of this new one. I'm already hooked.<br />
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Lastly, plan to start reading TO BE SUNG UNDERWATER by Tom McNeal. I've heard great things, and after seeing <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/09/garden/at-home-with-tom-mcneal-an-imagination-with-built-ins.html">his home in the New York Times</a> I am taken with his imagination.<br />
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Also still reading Mark Billingham's BLOODLINE and Bill Cameron's COUNTY LINE.<br />
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Other reading includes THE NO-CRY SLEEP SOLUTION by Elizabeth Pantley. Still not sure if it is to help the parents to stop crying or the baby. ;)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-j9vE60DEhFypw-VS7sxZQsgYFza45EBdXsC5_ng_W4wXK1ueIAPL_mVxVbDwuWCXDgFPxzhi_G57cAyttuUGA4HOHle_Jiz1fwgS-FKO7j-Bv1KE9ZvB5HKFWWxjyCC0lb0oTarqGA8/s1600/SHADES+OF+GREY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-j9vE60DEhFypw-VS7sxZQsgYFza45EBdXsC5_ng_W4wXK1ueIAPL_mVxVbDwuWCXDgFPxzhi_G57cAyttuUGA4HOHle_Jiz1fwgS-FKO7j-Bv1KE9ZvB5HKFWWxjyCC0lb0oTarqGA8/s200/SHADES+OF+GREY.jpg" width="126" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://ibc4.wordpress.com/">Ian C.:</a></span></b> Ready for a big surprise?<br />
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I am reading Jasper Fforde's SHADES OF GREY and Jon McGregor's EVEN THE DOGS and, still, Tom McCarthy's REMAINER.<br />
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But I am threatening to finish them come what may by next week because I desperately want to move on to Emma Donoghue's ROOM.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229093568907196459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-9368632299896826282011-06-10T07:05:00.009-04:002011-06-10T07:05:00.070-04:00Top 60 Best Read List (June 3, 2011)Based on the FridayReads posts on June 3, 2011, here's the <b>Best Read List</b>:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeGPdL2vS0W8_Qp9IpdpPmR3stqkKChUcpp7DDm_VoiEMPTHmIE0e_EG1R1t-jVE2uKOFYgbKPpi20GyJsh4PbeFbPAbdvTF0hn4soOB9-3hivgUrBrNzI-ZggVQhl3cfCyDfv_IdmA4/s1600/THE+BLIND+ASSASSIN+by+Margaret+Atwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeGPdL2vS0W8_Qp9IpdpPmR3stqkKChUcpp7DDm_VoiEMPTHmIE0e_EG1R1t-jVE2uKOFYgbKPpi20GyJsh4PbeFbPAbdvTF0hn4soOB9-3hivgUrBrNzI-ZggVQhl3cfCyDfv_IdmA4/s200/THE+BLIND+ASSASSIN+by+Margaret+Atwood.jpg" width="129" /></a></div><b>1</b>. THE BLIND ASSASSIN by Margaret Atwood<br />
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<b>2</b>. BOSSYPANTS by Tina Fey<br />
EMBASSYTOWN by China Miéville<br />
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<b>4</b>. THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett<br />
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<b>5</b>. ROOM by Emma Donoghue<br />
<br />
<b>6</b>. GAME OF THRONES by George R R Martin<br />
IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS by Erik Larson<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marcussakey.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClW3Jn1ZzY8vwg5cxgwXEKdev50WUN45ueUD-OXUcPvk_T6MsbFng6kjX2fz-i9_jh2wa9G5jSxDuE5yNuBgzc36d6P08_ejAH1y8mPk9wj5gdOINE5FNRCafIvuGWcASqEeSk_mkVMg/s200/THE+TWO+DEATHS+OF+DANIEL+HAYES+by+Marcus+Sakey.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>SHIP BREAKER by Paolo Bacigalupi<br />
THE SISTERS BROTHERS by Patrick DeWitt<br />
<br />
<b>10</b>. A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES by Deborah Harkness<br />
A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD by Jennifer Egan<br />
BEAUTY QUEENS by Libba Bray<br />
THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins<br />
<br />
<b>14</b>. A CLASH OF KINGS by George R R Martin<br />
BLOOD RED ROAD by Moira Young<br />
CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYy_WGAnJNC14AUjI6GH5HfY3IUpk1NdkgU6V5e1rRpv2aOMZDIZ8-q2BVQV13hz8o39wqD-HiemJpCEaY4uLX0yRKNmIc_Tts-yVDUyL4LPqJjB6dAmsopMCM8yaCyYX7pHvCb3WFTWA/s1600/WHEN+GOD+WAS+A+RABBIT+by+Sarah+Winman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYy_WGAnJNC14AUjI6GH5HfY3IUpk1NdkgU6V5e1rRpv2aOMZDIZ8-q2BVQV13hz8o39wqD-HiemJpCEaY4uLX0yRKNmIc_Tts-yVDUyL4LPqJjB6dAmsopMCM8yaCyYX7pHvCb3WFTWA/s200/WHEN+GOD+WAS+A+RABBIT+by+Sarah+Winman.jpg" width="123" /></a></div>DEADLINE by Mira Grant<br />
DREAMS OF JOY by Lisa See<br />
FOREVER by Maggie Stiefvater<br />
HALF A LIFE by Darin Strauss<br />
MAGIC SLAYS by Ilona Andrews<br />
SILVER SPARROW by Tayari Jones<br />
THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern<br />
THE PARIS WIFE by Paula McLain<br />
THE SNOWMAN by Jo Nesbo<br />
<br />
<b>26</b>. A DANCE WITH DRAGONS by George R R Martin<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWXOiDaObYFGD6zzxOBdNauhs_VJVmUfSh0JU1-5cZwRuU9EFwWbCsPfDsrRbA38G4r08WS4fFqyK3hUfwBl5XyDolVRRXeBv-84xle94K-fUNh3QAkthjHnVtvflJ3jbDLQYqtsCs6U/s1600/STARCROSSED+by+Josephine+Angelini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWXOiDaObYFGD6zzxOBdNauhs_VJVmUfSh0JU1-5cZwRuU9EFwWbCsPfDsrRbA38G4r08WS4fFqyK3hUfwBl5XyDolVRRXeBv-84xle94K-fUNh3QAkthjHnVtvflJ3jbDLQYqtsCs6U/s200/STARCROSSED+by+Josephine+Angelini.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>ALL THESE THINGS I'VE DONE by Gabrielle Zevin<br />
CARTE BLANCHE by Jeffery Deaver<br />
CITY OF GLASS by Cassandra Clare<br />
CUTTING FOR STONE by Abraham Verghese<br />
DEAD RECKONING by Charlaine Harris<br />
DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth<br />
DOC by Maria Doria Russell<br />
INFINITE JEST by David Foster Wallace<br />
ONE DAY by David Nicholls<br />
ONE WAS A SOLDIER by Julia Spencer-Fleming<br />
ROBOPOCALYPSE by Daniel H. Wilson<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZTW0h6p1sJVbpb02e4YVGyh4_fJYgvMKBHEwS8pjx3jj6PJJ3rIoNBjRizwiXbfKqQpixh0D7yUA4l-SQclKmBX8UacZAU8Wq0-VdynQlDurfyVZ3uR5gqk72nQtDna099vLDrmbiDE/s1600/THE+MAP+OF+TIME+by+Felix+J.+Palma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZTW0h6p1sJVbpb02e4YVGyh4_fJYgvMKBHEwS8pjx3jj6PJJ3rIoNBjRizwiXbfKqQpixh0D7yUA4l-SQclKmBX8UacZAU8Wq0-VdynQlDurfyVZ3uR5gqk72nQtDna099vLDrmbiDE/s200/THE+MAP+OF+TIME+by+Felix+J.+Palma.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>SHADES OF GREY by Jasper Fforde<br />
SINFUL MAGIC by Jennifer Lyon<br />
SPOILED by Jessica Morgan and Heather Cocks<br />
STARCROSSED by Josephine Angelini<br />
STORIES I ONLY TELL MY FRIENDS by Rob Lowe<br />
THE COFFINS OF LITTLE HOPE by Timothy Schaffert<br />
THE COLOR PURPLE by Alice Walker<br />
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO by Stieg Larsson<br />
THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS by Rebecca Skloot<br />
THE LEFTOVERS by Tom Perotta<br />
THE MAP OF TIME by Felix J. Palma<br />
THE PASSAGE by Justin Cronin<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNKg6M2vzv9E619m1ehJ11dqr8wm312VoPrQYaspzX9oMpQqxSj7sczHipWy3rHNVek1In-OgdlsyJlg-2PTGfO6Bv3ghC8jmv5pzz-Z27uma0UdxKLx-v7G7_aqfjg8DjV8eitcb8BE/s1600/TURN+OF+MIND+by+Alice+LaPlante.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNKg6M2vzv9E619m1ehJ11dqr8wm312VoPrQYaspzX9oMpQqxSj7sczHipWy3rHNVek1In-OgdlsyJlg-2PTGfO6Bv3ghC8jmv5pzz-Z27uma0UdxKLx-v7G7_aqfjg8DjV8eitcb8BE/s200/TURN+OF+MIND+by+Alice+LaPlante.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>THE STORY OF BEAUTIFUL GIRL by Rachel Simon<br />
THE TIGERS WIFE by Tea Obreht<br />
THE TRAGEDY OF ARTHUR by Arthur Phillips<br />
THE TWO DEATHS OF DANIEL HAYES by Marcus Sakey<br />
THE WEIRD SISTERS by Eleanor Brown<br />
TOUCH by Alexi Zentner<br />
TURN OF MIND by Alice LaPlante<br />
WEIRD SISTERS by Eleanor Brown<br />
WHEN GOD WAS A RABBIT by Sarah Winman<br />
WHERE SHE WENT by Gayle Forman<br />
WILDWOOD by Colin Meloy<br />
<div><br />
</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229093568907196459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-32509676782980357362011-06-03T08:40:00.009-04:002011-06-03T08:40:00.128-04:00This is what your FridayReads team is reading now...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fjWW0sr5CUvK5fwdVCq9HlWMbYeihUvpNvdK8BAshyphenhyphenDCsi82eQk84Z6f8CyrbuyyK7dcruloZRCjg5B9QWDOOO3jtWhv0TYQ0OU66S4dWRun2kwIVe_CTOrI808tY7ZjTe42KBzVFvM/s1600/QUEEN+OF+AMERICA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fjWW0sr5CUvK5fwdVCq9HlWMbYeihUvpNvdK8BAshyphenhyphenDCsi82eQk84Z6f8CyrbuyyK7dcruloZRCjg5B9QWDOOO3jtWhv0TYQ0OU66S4dWRun2kwIVe_CTOrI808tY7ZjTe42KBzVFvM/s200/QUEEN+OF+AMERICA.jpg" width="128" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bookmavenmedia.com/">Bethanne:</a></span></b> I am finally reading QUEEN OF AMERICA by my beloved Luis Urrea (<a href="http://twitter.com/#!/Urrealism">@Urrealism</a> on Twitter), a copy he inscribed to me during Book Expo America. Just terrific, but I am happily biased...<br />
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Over the weekend I also plan to read THE BIRD SISTERS by Rebecca Rasmussen.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAS3vnktbxSI2r7v5IS5i4ZvjoSgMLreHtzC0xo8xOwpwl2ENMY-LTQvvr-bxHn-CtQACCIW60v4sN0FOwnkfZNyrjgUn1fWJ7QMnY_d9TUv6xNxUXtywu_QYsCJPp7k88WjkKU5Z2Oz0/s1600/COUNTY+LINE+by+Bill+Cameron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAS3vnktbxSI2r7v5IS5i4ZvjoSgMLreHtzC0xo8xOwpwl2ENMY-LTQvvr-bxHn-CtQACCIW60v4sN0FOwnkfZNyrjgUn1fWJ7QMnY_d9TUv6xNxUXtywu_QYsCJPp7k88WjkKU5Z2Oz0/s200/COUNTY+LINE+by+Bill+Cameron.jpg" width="128" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.erin-faye.com/">Erin:</a> </span></b>I'm continuing my "reading multiple books simultaneously" experiment, and it's going well. I've dived right in to COUNTY LINE by <a href="http://www.billcameronmysteries.com/index.shtml">Bill Cameron</a>, an author deserving of all the acclaim he's received.<br />
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I'm also finishing up Reginald Hill's THE WOODCUTTER.<br />
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And I've started BLOODLINE by Mark Billingham, which is fantastic so far!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfU_tjgaHWm6gJtt27EXahJjCrsJzObd7qnrkcLTs6EICnVfaC7AgVxZd7AhAutCt5vUDhzCCbGhQg30-b4eB77K8woqroM2Uuw63felQErDo9iVPBv5-A1FgZz0MN2npxZQoulFhBaA/s1600/WHAT+THE+DOG+SAW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfU_tjgaHWm6gJtt27EXahJjCrsJzObd7qnrkcLTs6EICnVfaC7AgVxZd7AhAutCt5vUDhzCCbGhQg30-b4eB77K8woqroM2Uuw63felQErDo9iVPBv5-A1FgZz0MN2npxZQoulFhBaA/s200/WHAT+THE+DOG+SAW.jpg" width="123" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bookmeme.net/">Ian:</a></span></b> I'm still reading about the Norse mythology from Eddas and Sagas. I'm reading the book on my Kindle for Android app so it is hard to judge how thick it would be if on paper. The great thing is that my eleven year old son is interested too so he wants me to read bits to him. Last night we read about Loki's punishment. You've got to hand it to the Norse gods, they had some really creative punishments.<br />
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Still trying to get back to WHAT THE DOG SAW by Malcolm Gladwell. I put it down somewhere then lost it after picking up the baby. :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIsf7fzMZldHXdONXH8SjQay4e-CYcxtCBFfhF7ivBtzU28L8VILaVXoTVHGuIS-gUbnEEj2jaGQ5Mm2iM2N4Hgktb6sQqTJrnCGfNvH5uODfu5hYrxlo2awkLlM4TYOoviyrjw2IAtg/s1600/ENDGAME+BOBBY+FISCHER%2527S+REMARKABLE+RISE+AND+FALL+by+Frank+Brady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIsf7fzMZldHXdONXH8SjQay4e-CYcxtCBFfhF7ivBtzU28L8VILaVXoTVHGuIS-gUbnEEj2jaGQ5Mm2iM2N4Hgktb6sQqTJrnCGfNvH5uODfu5hYrxlo2awkLlM4TYOoviyrjw2IAtg/s200/ENDGAME+BOBBY+FISCHER%2527S+REMARKABLE+RISE+AND+FALL+by+Frank+Brady.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.shelfmediagroup.com/">Margaret:</a> </span></b>I'm reading ENDGAME: BOBBY FISCHER'S REMARKABLE RISE AND FALL by Frank Brady (in anticipation of the HBO documentary "Bobby Fischer against the World").<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx720TEfEeWYOK4CYwPFVPL9mnU__Gx59gb1IrhnwVYueS1nMjGjOYMlYIuw59sX2f4g0c9UlPQ9GqX3eFpik-ekOFxgQU009dCGmDJik1MtEGWOx_XxcC7sPb1vZhyphenhyphenPdNKSO-y74HoZA/s1600/THE+RESERVOIR+by+John+Milliken+Thompson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx720TEfEeWYOK4CYwPFVPL9mnU__Gx59gb1IrhnwVYueS1nMjGjOYMlYIuw59sX2f4g0c9UlPQ9GqX3eFpik-ekOFxgQU009dCGmDJik1MtEGWOx_XxcC7sPb1vZhyphenhyphenPdNKSO-y74HoZA/s200/THE+RESERVOIR+by+John+Milliken+Thompson.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thebookladysblog.com/">Rebecca:</a> </span></b>I'm reading THE RESERVOIR by John Milliken Thompson, out from OtherPress this month. It's a historical mystery set in Richmond (holla!) with a rich sense of place and terrific writing.<br />
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Also plowing through GETTING THINGS DONE by David Allen in my continuing quest to become an efficiency machine, and ZAZEN by Vanessa Veselka, the first title from Richard Nash's new Red Lemonade project.<br />
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Also want to mention that I just finished THE MISTRESS CONTRACT (October, Unbridled Books), an anonymous memoir by a couple who created an unconventional arrangement for their 30-year affair. Challenging, fascinating, and sure to have tongues a-wagging.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJOh8GWKU0oD8tZdoarNyMwlZO2ABnFDKjIZUuNFYVDmOHqDHuxNQYqkKS4JXKV9DSjoXmQLlZkjdc6zF0tfmC_XuBJGKENao3EyWKA4Xyp0-YL8rJ92ZDw33q0I5kTZyd1s-d4v2eu0/s1600/Susan+Orlean%2527s+RIN+TIN+TIN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJOh8GWKU0oD8tZdoarNyMwlZO2ABnFDKjIZUuNFYVDmOHqDHuxNQYqkKS4JXKV9DSjoXmQLlZkjdc6zF0tfmC_XuBJGKENao3EyWKA4Xyp0-YL8rJ92ZDw33q0I5kTZyd1s-d4v2eu0/s200/Susan+Orlean%2527s+RIN+TIN+TIN.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lisabadams.com/">Lisa:</a> </span></b>I am reading a galley of Susan Orlean's RIN TIN TIN this week and have put everything else on hold while I do so. It's fabulous.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19anwOwfQlyzNpEbm1aA8Gqn-V7ojMqHHrQWBNfmfUf98M0OY_THa9aq0Bdb6aZv0r2mbq3saTnMr_NbCegC7oB3CtvFMtaK3x3zNOd27IlizLsyeWQ3r06sfU_V_fgn10cmZ__bpwjA/s1600/The-Snowman-by-Jo-Nesbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19anwOwfQlyzNpEbm1aA8Gqn-V7ojMqHHrQWBNfmfUf98M0OY_THa9aq0Bdb6aZv0r2mbq3saTnMr_NbCegC7oB3CtvFMtaK3x3zNOd27IlizLsyeWQ3r06sfU_V_fgn10cmZ__bpwjA/s200/The-Snowman-by-Jo-Nesbo.jpg" width="130" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lydiaondrusek.com/">Lydia:</a> </span></b>As temperatures where I am hit and stick in the mid-90s, I continue to shiver my way through Jo Nesbo’s THE SNOWMAN. Not recommended for the faint of heart – but a great read for anyone else.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-j9vE60DEhFypw-VS7sxZQsgYFza45EBdXsC5_ng_W4wXK1ueIAPL_mVxVbDwuWCXDgFPxzhi_G57cAyttuUGA4HOHle_Jiz1fwgS-FKO7j-Bv1KE9ZvB5HKFWWxjyCC0lb0oTarqGA8/s1600/SHADES+OF+GREY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-j9vE60DEhFypw-VS7sxZQsgYFza45EBdXsC5_ng_W4wXK1ueIAPL_mVxVbDwuWCXDgFPxzhi_G57cAyttuUGA4HOHle_Jiz1fwgS-FKO7j-Bv1KE9ZvB5HKFWWxjyCC0lb0oTarqGA8/s200/SHADES+OF+GREY.jpg" width="126" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://ibc4.wordpress.com/">Ian C.:</a></span></b> Despite my best efforts to get through my to-read list - I am <i>still </i>reading Jon McGregor's EVEN THE DOGS, Jasper Fforde's SHADES OF GREY and Tom McCarthy's REMAINDER.<br />
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And so, unless something monumental happens over the weekend, like me winning the lottery, I suspect I will still be reading them by next Friday. Ah well, they are thoroughly enjoyable books anyway. So no loss.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJkNw3FMXER9PUvrcnbKDEtJs_qhI2e4CIyAK76lf3auf3GBktBdR8O3K5ThNLhY1QF_ovfHbnU1LhNyY72SrIxLSkajfsYAxFUpEEqxeRqmYDyspVEnZhBRjQ5ZxEcg7-wUJBqI4Pks/s1600/TomatolandCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJkNw3FMXER9PUvrcnbKDEtJs_qhI2e4CIyAK76lf3auf3GBktBdR8O3K5ThNLhY1QF_ovfHbnU1LhNyY72SrIxLSkajfsYAxFUpEEqxeRqmYDyspVEnZhBRjQ5ZxEcg7-wUJBqI4Pks/s200/TomatolandCover.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://regularrumination.wordpress.com/">Leslie</a></span></b>: I'm currently immersed in TOMATOLAND: HOW MODERN INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE DESTROYED OUR MOST ALLURING FRUIT by Barry Estabrook. Let me just tell you, it will make you never want to eat another tomato from the grocery store again. I'm also still reading THE MISTS OF AVALON. This is the longest it's taken me to finish a book in a while, but not because it's dull, it's just so detailed. <br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229093568907196459noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-24605150904306897432011-06-03T08:30:00.013-04:002011-06-03T08:30:00.473-04:00Top 47 Best Read List (May 27, 2011)Based on the FridayReads posts on May 27, 2011, here's the <b>Best Read List</b>:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSew9eGckd-24aydJ3mxHOV19Y3KZ1A1G0hi6lyKB47S9uVMe5On86Vdw24FEttjBgqP9F-R2astUfy6Dk-A6EdaaL75cENB1uFe1cxDKKQvwpR6TAD1_oBWkZx1UJldI1vJcoEHrUYSc/s1600/DIVERGENT+by+Veronica+Roth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSew9eGckd-24aydJ3mxHOV19Y3KZ1A1G0hi6lyKB47S9uVMe5On86Vdw24FEttjBgqP9F-R2astUfy6Dk-A6EdaaL75cENB1uFe1cxDKKQvwpR6TAD1_oBWkZx1UJldI1vJcoEHrUYSc/s200/DIVERGENT+by+Veronica+Roth.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><b>1</b>. THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett<br />
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<b>2</b>. IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS by Erik Larson<br />
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<b>3</b>. A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD by Jennifer Egan<br />
BOSSYPANTS by Tina Fey<br />
DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth<br />
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<b>6</b>. ROOM by Emma Donoghue<br />
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<b>7</b>. THE IDIOT by Fyodor Dostoevsky<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJj0vX_l781r1JU5FlaTtAKC8dvkSy0eoK7gdHIZ5Xeh9lvpKbmxo5UM1HfprZ7lELurj2JjTSpHxJbQqdoZB1gCjiCimzw8YaYylSaT0KJkos9FWSl8QRpAsj-pDxu4qbITGWL81Iks/s1600/TABLOID+CITY+by+Pete+Hamill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJj0vX_l781r1JU5FlaTtAKC8dvkSy0eoK7gdHIZ5Xeh9lvpKbmxo5UM1HfprZ7lELurj2JjTSpHxJbQqdoZB1gCjiCimzw8YaYylSaT0KJkos9FWSl8QRpAsj-pDxu4qbITGWL81Iks/s200/TABLOID+CITY+by+Pete+Hamill.jpg" width="128" /></a></div><b>8</b>. EMBASSYTOWN by China Mieville<br />
ONE DAY by David Nicholls<br />
PICTURES OF YOU by Caroline Leavitt<br />
THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS by Rebecca Skloot<br />
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<b>12</b>. BUT I LOVE HIM by Amanda Grace<br />
GAME OF THRONES by George R R Martin<br />
GRAVEMINDER by Melissa Marr<br />
IF I STAY by Gayle Forman<br />
LIFE OF PI by Yann Martel<br />
SILVER SPARROW by Tayari Jones<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbN_g5ryLBJ67sbrcYVnz9p21tedo_eM-cXLbvCN3ur31u8JBikZT-5CkXxGtPHgX-xAqoFvntDQvlosRP0LHNhjQ3iMrrSQGwNpdsYgOsSF6LK0DwPjVbjmFfClGnfEZKNZVG1tVILw/s1600/THE+STAND+by+Stephen+King.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbN_g5ryLBJ67sbrcYVnz9p21tedo_eM-cXLbvCN3ur31u8JBikZT-5CkXxGtPHgX-xAqoFvntDQvlosRP0LHNhjQ3iMrrSQGwNpdsYgOsSF6LK0DwPjVbjmFfClGnfEZKNZVG1tVILw/s200/THE+STAND+by+Stephen+King.jpg" width="123" /></a>TABLOID CITY by Pete Hamill<br />
THE BLIND ASSASSIN by Margaret Atwood<br />
THE PSYCHOPATH TEST by Jon Ronson<br />
THE SISTERS BROTHERS by Patrick de Witt<br />
THE SNOWMAN by Jo Nesbo<br />
THE STAND by Stephen King<br />
THE WEIRD SISTERS by Eleanor Brown<br />
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<b>25</b>. 13 LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPES by Maureen Johnson<br />
A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES by Deborah Harkness<br />
BEAUTY QUEENS by Libba Bray<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw612T2-G7wuj2u8Rqp6QV4Pro5HUmQX2G-ZKOKvhUZR8utyhrABiQmk0tvF-DqF4AfGQ6oBOCccrvfMrzSR7sVzqxSHOsvuQo9R89LmmckECYdG-Y1KxvSKOLXU0OQWr55JrXNVl5k8M/s1600/ZONE+ONE+by+Colson+Whitehead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw612T2-G7wuj2u8Rqp6QV4Pro5HUmQX2G-ZKOKvhUZR8utyhrABiQmk0tvF-DqF4AfGQ6oBOCccrvfMrzSR7sVzqxSHOsvuQo9R89LmmckECYdG-Y1KxvSKOLXU0OQWr55JrXNVl5k8M/s200/ZONE+ONE+by+Colson+Whitehead.jpg" width="131" /></a>BURIED PREY by John Sandford<br />
DEAD RECKONING by Charlaine Harris<br />
DRAGON BOUND by Thea Harrison<br />
FEED by Mira Grant<br />
MAINE by J. Courtney Sullivan<br />
NEVER LET ME GO by Kazuo Ishiguro<br />
ROBOPOCALYPSE by Daniel H. Wilson<br />
SOMETHING BLUE by Emily Giffin<br />
THE ASTRAL by Kate Christensen<br />
THE CITY & THE CITY by China Mieville<br />
THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE by Stieg Larsson<br />
THE GREAT NIGHT by Chris Adrian<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdZiuNDbqSEAYvdl9linF_sNAiK6tNISG39nSynH3ZoYNYnG9WhWS5wTmKJR_7toypPoKXvo7gAjfMUEtZa96cZG8ucIs6jNP5qr6gSV1ZZzdKxm5KmwlsnE1dzfCpmO3uKIO3vtGH8E/s1600/DEAD+RECKONING+by+Charlaine+Harris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdZiuNDbqSEAYvdl9linF_sNAiK6tNISG39nSynH3ZoYNYnG9WhWS5wTmKJR_7toypPoKXvo7gAjfMUEtZa96cZG8ucIs6jNP5qr6gSV1ZZzdKxm5KmwlsnE1dzfCpmO3uKIO3vtGH8E/s200/DEAD+RECKONING+by+Charlaine+Harris.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>THE GREATER JOURNEY by David McCullough<br />
THE HAPPINESS HYPOTHESIS: FINDING MODERN TRUTH IN ANCIENT WISDOM by Jonathan Haidt<br />
THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern<br />
THE THOUSAND AUTUMNS OF JACOB DE ZOET by David Mitchell<br />
THE TIGER’S WIFE by Tea Obreht<br />
WHEN LOVE EVOLVES by Lonz Cook<br />
ZAZEN by Vanessa Veselka<br />
ZONE ONE by Colson Whitehead<br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229093568907196459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-29459500974307360252011-06-03T08:03:00.005-04:002011-06-03T17:52:50.662-04:00Prizes for June 3, 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0anyvafZXMpt2qRfKLM3N3q7qW5RMlZdSFjI_2U6AMkW-lFBJ8hUxhfrT0R63K2g-dQ9WBiTOA3Bhiq26uu8GuAcTezYNLHuTC255aJQUhkUH8ra7CTCr49-gYJsdjQX21yIUA15XLhux/s1600/bonobo+handshake.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0anyvafZXMpt2qRfKLM3N3q7qW5RMlZdSFjI_2U6AMkW-lFBJ8hUxhfrT0R63K2g-dQ9WBiTOA3Bhiq26uu8GuAcTezYNLHuTC255aJQUhkUH8ra7CTCr49-gYJsdjQX21yIUA15XLhux/s400/bonobo+handshake.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613963121666315090" /></a>If you participate in FridayReads, whether it is on <a href="http://fridayreads.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/FridayReads">Facebook </a>or <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/search/%23fridayreads">Twitter</a>, you could win a copy of <i>Bonobo Handshake</i> by Vanessa Woods and published by <a href="http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/publishers/adult/gotham.html">Gotham Books</a>! <div><br /></div><div>Watch videos about Woods and the bonobos she studied <a href="http://www.youtube.com/bonobohandshake">here</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can also learn more about bonobos and the two researchers, Vanessa Woods and Brin Hale, in <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/06/science/06conv.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1307102919-uwf6GgvrNd76bnpO1qp1vQ">this NY Times interview.</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, for more information, visit the <a href="http://www.bonobohandshake.com/"><i>Bonobo Handshake</i> website</a>, which has links to reviews and other sites about bonobos!</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNXPMs-7v4cuYcY9VxXEUSFlYgREVwYpUqcIFqd9KDTAGK6rnWyjkvTAjAPT5MmbfrGtiJHcOX1gA-VZSNr-DZBCKNHZojtdVVX4eDCY0TKse38JlYBPXt6w1ilAkoemBn3F1TzjI7EVd/s200/shelfunbound.bmp" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 166px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613966510624699874" /><div>Every participant in FridayReads is also eligible to download a free copy of the <a href="http://www.epaperflip.com/aglaia/viewer.aspx?docid=d66733eb150e48c1a8dbdf40ae9ddac6">latest Shelf Unbound magazine</a>, featuring the very best in indie publishing!</div><div><div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Leslie @ This is the Refrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18027804132268043518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-36488413756075642962011-05-27T08:47:00.029-04:002011-05-27T09:29:38.268-04:00This is what your FridayReads team is reading now...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIUdTXv2iRUOo5AVVxB7ZPGkcO7kCq9pOVInMEqAy_AGkV44nDZtCpiy84X-N1jTKjqA3joLGGNT3y2cUfr-B1K2Mms4TeCt8YkFsraxfOyHvCCBOMtbwBQmMaKponD0uvBNMDt1CN6g/s1600/THE+NIGHT+CIRCUS+by+Erin+Morgenstern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIUdTXv2iRUOo5AVVxB7ZPGkcO7kCq9pOVInMEqAy_AGkV44nDZtCpiy84X-N1jTKjqA3joLGGNT3y2cUfr-B1K2Mms4TeCt8YkFsraxfOyHvCCBOMtbwBQmMaKponD0uvBNMDt1CN6g/s200/THE+NIGHT+CIRCUS+by+Erin+Morgenstern.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bookmavenmedia.com/">Bethanne:</a></span></b> This week I've dived into THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern (big BEA buzz book), and re-read Gail Caldwell's memoir LET'S TAKE THE LONG WAY HOME because today I was part of a Random House testimonial video with four other bookish people, for the book's paperback release. On Sunday in the hammock, before BEA, I finished a gorgeous, quiet-ish galley from Graywolf Press called IN CADDIS WOOD by Mary F. Rockcastle -- wonderful story about a long marriage.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPOih1aeg0cKmlBoUppeTuDqXrXb8vmE2WvpswDOJ-3VPcyByG_ZTYNiQ1PA_T0o4QZnNgI1YiZROUuTAQ8rtcMGxAmCMucmLkZcxb5OvRJgSAO0mOTgPagKq8WZyplw3nLege3jnkjg/s1600/The-Woodcutter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPOih1aeg0cKmlBoUppeTuDqXrXb8vmE2WvpswDOJ-3VPcyByG_ZTYNiQ1PA_T0o4QZnNgI1YiZROUuTAQ8rtcMGxAmCMucmLkZcxb5OvRJgSAO0mOTgPagKq8WZyplw3nLege3jnkjg/s200/The-Woodcutter.jpg" width="129" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.erin-faye.com/">Erin:</a> </span></b>I just started THE WOODCUTTER by Reginald Hill. I've never read his books before, but this one sure seems like a cracker. Creepy in all the right ways!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOSjuak1aiCFoR8vqWzMvertrdGU_9RIN7VroKI7ZGc1PnipalldiM13mYseAEK_VXVLiz8grpJUyoLDCZguuo-C9tyFWM6EWVOI11d-tOgzhkBAR0-_xVsCKvVk8aWHw_ivqDiBzAS4/s1600/WHAT+THE+DOG+SAW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOSjuak1aiCFoR8vqWzMvertrdGU_9RIN7VroKI7ZGc1PnipalldiM13mYseAEK_VXVLiz8grpJUyoLDCZguuo-C9tyFWM6EWVOI11d-tOgzhkBAR0-_xVsCKvVk8aWHw_ivqDiBzAS4/s200/WHAT+THE+DOG+SAW.jpg" width="123" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bookmeme.net/">Ian:</a></span></b> My reading time is somewhat curtailed at the moment but I am persevering with reading about the Norse mythology which is incredibly interesting. All the more fascinating when you learn just how many 'heathen' festivals have been subsumed into the Christian festivals. Quite a PR job that one!<br />
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I'm still picking at WHAT THE DOG SAW by Malcolm Gladwell. I don't mind if it takes a while as the articles are very interesting<br />
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Also enjoying DON'T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB, a collection of personal essays by mostly southern writers about the dayjobs they worked before they hit the big time, edited by Sonny Brewer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBRvSsjs9GCt81py5QhflrY9ZltYBzO-GEi8gW7rz8tKgG1skpnaKJnb-tOTNwB5HxXf2GL6LH441Osed-uARt4S7PNI699ETlSCjxo0xR1xZQY-eRn5tIXz0yNzJ4Ny3MSoMYvchm_0/s1600/strength-in-what-remains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBRvSsjs9GCt81py5QhflrY9ZltYBzO-GEi8gW7rz8tKgG1skpnaKJnb-tOTNwB5HxXf2GL6LH441Osed-uARt4S7PNI699ETlSCjxo0xR1xZQY-eRn5tIXz0yNzJ4Ny3MSoMYvchm_0/s200/strength-in-what-remains.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/erinlcox">Erin C.:</a></span></b> I am still reading Tracy Kidder's STRENGTH IN WHAT REMAINS...I set it down briefly, but I'm back at it!</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229093568907196459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-4699530369185344532011-05-27T08:44:00.003-04:002011-05-27T08:44:00.173-04:00Top 36 Best Read List (May 20, 2011)Based on the FridayReads posts on May 20, 2011, here's the <b>Best Read List</b>:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EEEXp3pW4vO2Jld6Uc3qdU6OwaXen9Ywm4KHMi71Ukic4ARKu1SRVzj1JFadLgYL0788_0bNpFM4GwGLZ7rINUtOi9GGC_1z6w3gP8eMBXiN5W_HoObQrOivwWxNPhNoukoSKzrVR-Q/s1600/book-in-the-garden-of-beasts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EEEXp3pW4vO2Jld6Uc3qdU6OwaXen9Ywm4KHMi71Ukic4ARKu1SRVzj1JFadLgYL0788_0bNpFM4GwGLZ7rINUtOi9GGC_1z6w3gP8eMBXiN5W_HoObQrOivwWxNPhNoukoSKzrVR-Q/s200/book-in-the-garden-of-beasts.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><b>1</b>. THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett<br />
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<b>2</b>. A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD by Jennifer Egan<br />
BOSSYPANTS by Tina Fey<br />
ROOM by Emma Donoghue<br />
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<b>5</b>. IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS by Erik Larson<br />
THE HAPPINESS HYPOTHESIS by Jonathan Haidt<br />
THE PALE KING by David Foster Wallace<br />
THE ROAD by Cormac McCarthy<br />
THE SISTERS BROTHERS by Patrick DeWitt<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JG3NT2dNpwlgTckz7XYN_lJUXc3bwjlAgVa0LrV2vU5B5oFvpssZ1orsgBe2dMZVOw432_IISC8zkPnVhI_BIlZTIoc2FlXa9IxAZOIwZMYkMOL4veMOAoQ6Dc8kLmWDi3HZaUcN6NI/s1600/dead-reckoning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JG3NT2dNpwlgTckz7XYN_lJUXc3bwjlAgVa0LrV2vU5B5oFvpssZ1orsgBe2dMZVOw432_IISC8zkPnVhI_BIlZTIoc2FlXa9IxAZOIwZMYkMOL4veMOAoQ6Dc8kLmWDi3HZaUcN6NI/s200/dead-reckoning.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen<br />
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<b>11</b>. GRAVEMINDER by Melissa Marr<br />
NEVER LET ME GO by Kazuo Ishiguro<br />
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<b>13</b>. MAINE by J. Courtney Sullivan<br />
THE TIGERS WIFE by Tea Obreht<br />
THE WEIRD SISTERS by Eleanor Brown<br />
AMERICAN PASTORAL by Philip Roth<br />
ANNABEL by Kathleen Winter<br />
BEFORE I FALL by Lauren Oliver<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbIA6wZeLIXKekyDdplJMVg1tRaV5lpIXxCzqWmRK-6mbzZ2HO6P3E8xTMaY72ifQZmlnr2764_O1wPTczD-RuH0I2XGPotxmYvkd1-ekbA8UWGIgvpu-OQ9Jx0YNRiA33BXb13wD8Kg/s1600/LEARNING-TO-SWIM-by-Sara-J-Henry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbIA6wZeLIXKekyDdplJMVg1tRaV5lpIXxCzqWmRK-6mbzZ2HO6P3E8xTMaY72ifQZmlnr2764_O1wPTczD-RuH0I2XGPotxmYvkd1-ekbA8UWGIgvpu-OQ9Jx0YNRiA33BXb13wD8Kg/s200/LEARNING-TO-SWIM-by-Sara-J-Henry.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>CRUSHED by Barbara E Brink<br />
CUTTING FOR STONE by Abraham Verghese<br />
DEAD RECKONING by Charlaine Harris<br />
DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth<br />
DON'T BREATHE A WORD by Jennifer McMahon<br />
FALL OF GIANTS by Ken Follett<br />
FIERCE DAWN by Amber Scott<br />
LEARNING TO SWIM by Sara J. Henry<br />
MATTERHORN by Karl Marlantes<br />
ONE OF OUR THURSDAYS IS MISSING by Jasper Fforde<br />
THE PARIS WIFE by Paula McLain<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3ZkZ1bVtwoSCLLLAzQTByc7_-0o-2h9eSVpSQUMADUOTy0cLqzpF6r_K0Ax87ZUb2f37poQIOQrqpI9DfSyxoy7lZpBhTPqtJCdJgGZrRExY70gz-BRgl2GkXhezWJgbvwJh56fQPjU/s1600/baldacci+the+sixth+man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3ZkZ1bVtwoSCLLLAzQTByc7_-0o-2h9eSVpSQUMADUOTy0cLqzpF6r_K0Ax87ZUb2f37poQIOQrqpI9DfSyxoy7lZpBhTPqtJCdJgGZrRExY70gz-BRgl2GkXhezWJgbvwJh56fQPjU/s200/baldacci+the+sixth+man.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>THE PULL OF GRAVITY by Gae Polisner<br />
THE SHINING by Stephen King<br />
THE SIXTH MAN by David Baldacci<br />
THE UNCOUPLING by Meg Wolitzer<br />
TOWNIE by Andre Dubus III<br />
VACLAV & LENA by Haley Tanner<br />
WHEN YOU DARE by Lori Foster<br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229093568907196459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-15253300259185365332011-05-27T07:11:00.002-04:002011-05-27T07:19:20.766-04:00Prizes for May 27, 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvRsqeJU-qALLwc4GqeW6IqVFhQYBJi8a96lpVyFMcxWDfScyM3oWAAVnFTxcUiyhe32gxOeybYTc-uNQxGl_pUU0U-JwCegrWDq0QXxIimwBSWJDA71q0i3LbU7hWRHPej-M688JWbsh/s1600/something+for+nothing.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvRsqeJU-qALLwc4GqeW6IqVFhQYBJi8a96lpVyFMcxWDfScyM3oWAAVnFTxcUiyhe32gxOeybYTc-uNQxGl_pUU0U-JwCegrWDq0QXxIimwBSWJDA71q0i3LbU7hWRHPej-M688JWbsh/s400/something+for+nothing.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611352173042148162" /></a>If you participate in FridayReads, whether it is on Tumblr, Facebook or Twitter, you could win a copy of <i>Something for Nothing</i> by <a href="http://www.davidjanthony.com/">David Anthony</a> and published by <a href="http://www.workman.com/algonquin/">Algonquin Books</a>. Watch the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kADs0N2NsQ&feature=player_embedded">book trailer</a> of <i>Something for Nothing </i>to see an interview with author David Anthony! <div><br /></div><div>Praise for <i>Something for Nothing</i>: </div><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span style="font-size: 12pt; " >“Anthony’s first novel...speeds to an adrenaline-charged climax in a conflict fueled by greed. Provocative, genre-spanning fiction by an author to watch.”—<b><i><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; ">Booklist</span></i></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span style="font-size: 12pt; " ><b><i><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; "><br /></span></i></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span style="font-size: 12pt; " > </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span style="font-size: 12pt; " >“[A] clever and surprisingly heartfelt debut... The parallels Anthony draws between the 1974 economic crisis and our own are successful precisely because they’re not overt, just like his depiction of Martin as an antihero succeeds because his ridiculous antics are laced with a yearning to belong that’s so intense it borders on deranged innocence, rendering him the most lovable drug smuggler in ages.”—<b><i><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; ">Publishers Weekly, starred review</span></i></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span style="font-size: 12pt; " ><b><i><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; "><br /></span></i></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span style="font-size: 12pt; " > </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span><span style="font-size: 12pt; " >"Funny, sly, gritty and hugely entertaining, <i><span style="font-style: italic; ">Something for Nothing</span></i> is quite an accomplishment, kind of James Lee Burke crossed with John Cheever, but utterly sharp and distinctive in its own right. This is a fantastic, big-time book."— <b><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Martin Clark, author of<i><span style="font-style: italic; "> The Many Aspects of Mobile Home Living </span></i>and<i><span style="font-style: italic; "> The Legal Limit</span></i></span></b></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span><span style="font-size: 12pt; " ><b><span style="font-weight: bold; "><i><span style="font-style: italic; "><br /></span></i></span></b></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span style="font-size: 12pt; " > </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span style="font-size: 12pt; " >"Insightful and wickedly funny, SOMETHING FOR NOTHING tells the story of a nefarious charmer caught up in the excesses of his American Dream. David Anthony has crafted a whip smart debut, what is certain to be a word-of-mouth sensation. This is a book for our times."—<b><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Amy MacKinnon, author of <i><span style="font-style: italic; ">Tethered</span></i></span></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span style="font-size: 12pt; " ><b><span style="font-weight: bold; "><i><span style="font-style: italic; "><br /></span></i></span></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span style="font-size: 12pt; " > </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i><span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; ">"Something for Nothing</span></span></i> is a terrific debut novel--meticulously detailed, fluent, and even wise. Make room on your bookshelves for David Anthony."<b><span style="font-weight: bold; ">—Thomas Perry, author of </span></b><b><i><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; ">Strip</span></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><b><i><br /></i></b></p></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNp44TCvA2yHCPLswzMZujLXQ_P9YHnKWTl38hf08ajsTQDItrh_oqFEAo5mBdL3B50lt0aSHj7qHLIRRoLJmvH3wEXPiEJgFBH7Z1fJSrx7Tv3Lk-xeSIYe6QojmWT_ACa9oH10xmjli/s1600/Shelf.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603564333861735426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNp44TCvA2yHCPLswzMZujLXQ_P9YHnKWTl38hf08ajsTQDItrh_oqFEAo5mBdL3B50lt0aSHj7qHLIRRoLJmvH3wEXPiEJgFBH7Z1fJSrx7Tv3Lk-xeSIYe6QojmWT_ACa9oH10xmjli/s400/Shelf.gif" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 153px;" /></a>Every participant in FridayReads is also eligible to download a copy of <a href="http://www.epaperflip.com/aglaia/viewer.aspx?docid=0ee7018334d14e6ea2be8cba1e1eef65">Shelf Unbound</a> magazine, featuring the absolute best in Indie publishing!<br /><div></div></div>Leslie @ This is the Refrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18027804132268043518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-24095430116038095242011-05-20T11:19:00.006-04:002011-05-26T19:52:30.268-04:00Giveaway 5/20<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvc1ZUTX-ForBBIDTjn54YoS7WNj_nY5NWAXoxdHY5ZHqn3xC2UADv4cuooe1NfejZwursbjCeXw87w3Zd1tQ2Y_VsqrATdvJWioNrG-bxQTiWtVmbDutHS3okr-AhO789E3CEvbjay6y/s1600/SecretDaughter+pb+c.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608818901434720642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvc1ZUTX-ForBBIDTjn54YoS7WNj_nY5NWAXoxdHY5ZHqn3xC2UADv4cuooe1NfejZwursbjCeXw87w3Zd1tQ2Y_VsqrATdvJWioNrG-bxQTiWtVmbDutHS3okr-AhO789E3CEvbjay6y/s400/SecretDaughter+pb+c.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 133px;" /></a>If you participate in FridayReads, you could win a copy of <i>Secret Daughter</i> by Shilpi Somaya Gowda! It doesn't matter where you participate, whether it is Twitter, Facebook, or Tumblr, you are entered to win! Next Friday we will announce the winners of <i>Secret Daughter. </i>Stay tuned to Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr for the announcements of the winners for last week's giveaway of <i>The Year We Left Home</i>. <br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNp44TCvA2yHCPLswzMZujLXQ_P9YHnKWTl38hf08ajsTQDItrh_oqFEAo5mBdL3B50lt0aSHj7qHLIRRoLJmvH3wEXPiEJgFBH7Z1fJSrx7Tv3Lk-xeSIYe6QojmWT_ACa9oH10xmjli/s1600/Shelf.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603564333861735426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNp44TCvA2yHCPLswzMZujLXQ_P9YHnKWTl38hf08ajsTQDItrh_oqFEAo5mBdL3B50lt0aSHj7qHLIRRoLJmvH3wEXPiEJgFBH7Z1fJSrx7Tv3Lk-xeSIYe6QojmWT_ACa9oH10xmjli/s400/Shelf.gif" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 153px;" /></a>Every participant in FridayReads is also eligible to download a copy of <a href="http://www.epaperflip.com/aglaia/viewer.aspx?docid=0ee7018334d14e6ea2be8cba1e1eef65">Shelf Unbound</a> magazine, featuring the absolute best in Indie publishing!<br /><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Leslie @ This is the Refrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18027804132268043518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-49217832665660038252011-05-20T09:33:00.010-04:002011-05-20T09:33:00.303-04:00Guest Blogger: Charles-Adam Foster-Simard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpppTq-qnKYJttITvngpNqfliEHFVx3K-Cqxwjp8s0ITZqdupWyArYEcZJ5dL2-RlDlPh16Ja7cOGvb4PIVib8rucle9z0Iq3zSeBkFaGD4lWtyn6cE7NNx0AVdltuxB2X8lFWGX7EdI/s1600/Me+in+a+Bookshop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpppTq-qnKYJttITvngpNqfliEHFVx3K-Cqxwjp8s0ITZqdupWyArYEcZJ5dL2-RlDlPh16Ja7cOGvb4PIVib8rucle9z0Iq3zSeBkFaGD4lWtyn6cE7NNx0AVdltuxB2X8lFWGX7EdI/s200/Me+in+a+Bookshop.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Charles-Adam Foster-Simard<br />
Blog: <a href="http://booksend.wordpress.com/">Book's End</a><br />
Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/cafsimard">@cafsimard</a><br />
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<b>Comfort Reading</b><br />
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I was very ill the first time I read one of Diana Athill's books. I left school<br />
early on a Friday with a bad cold, my head pounding and my nose dripping uncontrollably. As soon as I got home I drew myself a hot bath and slipped into the steaming water with the elegant but unassuming hardcover edition of <i>Yesterday Morning</i>. Diana Athill, as it turned out, was just what I needed that day. <i>Yesterday Morning</i> is as unassuming and elegant as its cover, but it’s also touching, human, funny, and written with beautiful simplicity — as are all of her books. Reading Athill on a bad day is like having an adorable grandmother there to take care of you.<br />
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I’ve now ambled my way through the four books at the core of Athill’s memoirs: <i>Stet</i>, about her career as a literary editor to such big names as Jean Rhys and V. S. Naipaul; <i>Yesterday Morning</i>, in which she revisits her happy childhood in the country manor her grandparents owned and the complicated relationship between her mother and father; <i>Somewhere Towards the End</i>, her Costa Prize and NBCC award-winning account of growing old with wisdom, wit, and lots of optimism; and <i>Instead of a Letter</i>, which is mostly about her doomed love affair with a man to which she was engaged, who stopped writing for years during his military service, eventually communicated with her by telegram to break up the engagement so he could get married to someone else, and finally died in the war.<br />
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<i>Instead of a Letter</i> is the first volume of memoirs Athill wrote, when she was 43, and the latest one I've read, in order to unwind at the beginning of the spring holidays. I was surprised to find as much of her bright intelligence and wonderful understanding of the human nature as in all of her other books. There’s a fair bit of overlap in subject matter between all of these, so I wouldn't recommend reading all of her books in one go, but it’s charming to plunge into one of them every so often. The repetition is part of the charm, part of way Athill tells her story, just like you’d expect a slightly extravagant British lady to recount bits of her life to you.<br />
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Yet writing is not Athill’s principal vocation. It’s something that happened to her along the way and something she’s always done on the side. Because of that, I think, she writes with an honesty that is rare and appealing, especially in an era of celebrity memoirs and loud voices that have nothing to say. Athill doesn’t shy away from writing about deeply personal things like sex and humiliation, and lays out her emotions with touching truthfulness and a deep understanding of herself — but she never falls into self-pity. Her prose is simple and straightforward, but all the more enthralling because she doesn't seek to embellish or excuse. Athill’s goal is to write about life “just as it was”, and it makes her life — and prose — all the more fascinating.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229093568907196459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-4672860471351626852011-05-20T09:02:00.003-04:002011-05-20T09:27:10.939-04:00This is what your FridayReads team is reading now...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZAyIlOdsivzQywvzffeJ66HJUXWIiDIBTRrq0QCzWoe8d4kj4q81ZoB-xPxGaRd21maiiuWmJxvFsvQt7lu2qjZEKBt3qAG3MUXqc3xmM6WuUBwb_B0il65wrVGKU09VNZh5T6OENxI/s1600/IN+SPITE+OF+EVERYTHING.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZAyIlOdsivzQywvzffeJ66HJUXWIiDIBTRrq0QCzWoe8d4kj4q81ZoB-xPxGaRd21maiiuWmJxvFsvQt7lu2qjZEKBt3qAG3MUXqc3xmM6WuUBwb_B0il65wrVGKU09VNZh5T6OENxI/s200/IN+SPITE+OF+EVERYTHING.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bookmavenmedia.com/">Bethanne:</a></span></b> About to start IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING: A Memoir by Susan Gregory Thomas. Her editor sent it to me, and since that editor also edits Robin Black, I have a feeling I'll enjoy it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lsuR-qCjLCnJ0hDlImPiv0CWgnOcp_IA9OuRe2KPK58Nw8FSAF6axxKFLBQ2sERiWUiw471ZW3aSa9EyE4_ozCcwsxORKb2S0CN-Des5hVPdTzuUKcsOcTECIRK1oqoFpKgaaQgVgK8/s1600/Youre-Next-US-cover1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lsuR-qCjLCnJ0hDlImPiv0CWgnOcp_IA9OuRe2KPK58Nw8FSAF6axxKFLBQ2sERiWUiw471ZW3aSa9EyE4_ozCcwsxORKb2S0CN-Des5hVPdTzuUKcsOcTECIRK1oqoFpKgaaQgVgK8/s200/Youre-Next-US-cover1.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.erin-faye.com/">Erin:</a> </span></b>I'm reading YOU'RE NEXT by Gregg Hurwitz. This excellent book was released in Europe in January and has been inhabiting the bestseller lists there ever since (European readers obviously have most excellent taste!). American readers will be able to get their hands on it on July 5, and readers who pre-order it can take part in <a href="http://gregghurwitz.net/2011/05/13/youre-next-pre-order-contest/">this fantastic giveaway</a>!<br />
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I've just found my copy of WAR ON THE MARGINS by <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/LIBBYCONE">Libby Cone</a> for a re-read. It is a brilliant book, historical fiction but firmly grounded in the Nazi Occupation of the English Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey). The characters are beautifully described and the progressive horror you feel as the Germans take over and dehumanize anybody remotely Jewish is unforgettable. Excellent reading.<br />
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Also enjoying DON'T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB, a collection of personal essays by mostly southern writers about the dayjobs they worked before they hit the big time, edited by Sonny Brewer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5asEy9c17t00YxDaq5wLGtIs1rImw8C1BQ-l7NZHcir8J1dtupDpPR4Ul7CKAP7BbuklN_rWqZ2wxvHOA-II9nkv1f_vUuHwPder5cc-OTn917B8AbwuWP0mfKUIrjRK4CwSOAqZoq0/s1600/ALEX%2527S+ADVENTURES+IN+NUMBERLAND.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5asEy9c17t00YxDaq5wLGtIs1rImw8C1BQ-l7NZHcir8J1dtupDpPR4Ul7CKAP7BbuklN_rWqZ2wxvHOA-II9nkv1f_vUuHwPder5cc-OTn917B8AbwuWP0mfKUIrjRK4CwSOAqZoq0/s200/ALEX%2527S+ADVENTURES+IN+NUMBERLAND.jpg" width="134" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://ibc4.wordpress.com/">Ian C.:</a></span></b> I am still reading my usual suspects, but everyone does this right? I am also reading Alex Bellos ALEX'S ADVENTURES IN NUMBERLAND.<br />
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A fascinating stroll through mathematics of every level. It appealed to the number geek in me!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPPeERj7KHd6gwCHmWVG2-0vtKVUVGP1jkNthaMb3D1OeFJiXZM8r4DM4YOL_7hzq9XrTjThzwzuYm-1zFh203XIgxs34rrvjQa8NcJLaQ_f33c-1HfJxktdVs792ilr9dfHYUQPLyoA/s1600/LET%2527S+TAKE+THE+LONG+WAY+HOME+by+Gail+Caldwell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPPeERj7KHd6gwCHmWVG2-0vtKVUVGP1jkNthaMb3D1OeFJiXZM8r4DM4YOL_7hzq9XrTjThzwzuYm-1zFh203XIgxs34rrvjQa8NcJLaQ_f33c-1HfJxktdVs792ilr9dfHYUQPLyoA/s200/LET%2527S+TAKE+THE+LONG+WAY+HOME+by+Gail+Caldwell.jpg" width="135" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://regularrumination.wordpress.com/">Leslie</a></span></b>: I'm currently reading LET'S TAKE THE LONG WAY HOME by Gail Caldwell. I'm not very far in, but I love it when Caldwell describes her friendship and her relationship with her dog. I also have TRUTH & BEAUTY by Ann Patchett, but I'm going back and forth about whether or not I should read them together. Both are memoirs by writers who lose their best friends, and I'm interested in how they are similar or different, but I'm also not sure that I can take that much sadness.<br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229093568907196459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-80478753671020732572011-05-20T08:30:00.009-04:002011-05-20T08:30:00.622-04:00Top 21 Best Read List (May 13, 2011)Based on the FridayReads posts on May 13, 2011, here's the <b>Best Read List</b>:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uoXY4eNYQIOD1jmf3GYdevr1RWrCZgfXm-PZXdJvmGt1jUxlwLzKmXmrRyL49akeYl_FnLgdoVbhqt9L8UYHI6icJcbvJJWS8VpOY7fm-dZqNyBeVSeGhvYNgkfg_z26d05lIlvb6zE/s1600/The-First-Husband-by-Laura-Dave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uoXY4eNYQIOD1jmf3GYdevr1RWrCZgfXm-PZXdJvmGt1jUxlwLzKmXmrRyL49akeYl_FnLgdoVbhqt9L8UYHI6icJcbvJJWS8VpOY7fm-dZqNyBeVSeGhvYNgkfg_z26d05lIlvb6zE/s200/The-First-Husband-by-Laura-Dave.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>1. BOSSYPANTS by Tina Fey<br />
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2. THE FIRST HUSBAND by Laura Dave<br />
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3. A CLASH OF KINGS by George R R Martin<br />
A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD by Jennifer Egan<br />
CLEOPATRA by Stacy Schiff<br />
ENCLAVE by Ann Aguirre<br />
IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS by Erik Larson<br />
ROOM by Emma Donoghue<br />
THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3A1N05wd8nbjgKpRlV3QVnVOJsUAWVfuy6cWGnY0cHLyB0OM_D8H1F7G2LHEKeVFF5fsm3CVLhZvzhAz6fGnsxrzzZih29w3oR5khvjkMlgUWicFsTsAePF1Le-tPghyphenhyphen3hlVemCTCGM/s1600/in-the-garden-of-beasts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3A1N05wd8nbjgKpRlV3QVnVOJsUAWVfuy6cWGnY0cHLyB0OM_D8H1F7G2LHEKeVFF5fsm3CVLhZvzhAz6fGnsxrzzZih29w3oR5khvjkMlgUWicFsTsAePF1Le-tPghyphenhyphen3hlVemCTCGM/s200/in-the-garden-of-beasts.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>10. DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth<br />
HORNS by Joe Hill<br />
JUST KIDS by Patti Smith<br />
ONE WAS A SOLDIER by Julia Spencer-Fleming<br />
SKIPPY DIES by Paul Murray<br />
THE HAPPINESS PROJECT by Gretchen Rubin<br />
THE PARIS WIFE by Paula McLain<br />
THE SNOWMAN by Jo Nesbø<br />
THE TIGERS WIFE by Tea Obreht<br />
THE WHITE DEVIL by Justin Evans<br />
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen<br />
WITHER by Lauren DeStefano<br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229093568907196459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-83668650656152650962011-05-13T13:39:00.000-04:002011-05-13T13:39:41.216-04:00Guest Blogger: Dom Testa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtx5UNVtCEee4dUU_qNictM-Sjj9sS8dlxXnlHipBfvCJA6X9o9810HLzs7TMI61oLswAg5vZ5XzbN9Ed508pLvrIMVw1sbzF0VseQiKOGs5yr0MhG9-v5gFFM4neF-joqPsFJLfTxsig/s1600/DomTesta.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtx5UNVtCEee4dUU_qNictM-Sjj9sS8dlxXnlHipBfvCJA6X9o9810HLzs7TMI61oLswAg5vZ5XzbN9Ed508pLvrIMVw1sbzF0VseQiKOGs5yr0MhG9-v5gFFM4neF-joqPsFJLfTxsig/s200/DomTesta.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>Dom Testa<br />
Blog: <a href="http://www.domtesta.com/">www.domtesta.com</a><br />
Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/HeyDomTesta">@HeyDomTesta</a><br />
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<br />
<b>With Apologies to Herman Melville</b><br />
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<b></b>As readers, we leave a little trail behind us. It’s a trail that shows our course from early childhood, through school, early adulthood, and onward until it reaches this day. It’s marked with the books that affected us somehow, often creating a link to that particular place and time.<br />
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I’m a writer, which means that by law I have to keep a bookshelf in my office with V.I.T. (Very Important Tomes). When I was younger I carefully chose the volumes which would occupy the top row, the ones that I thought would add the necessary sense of importance to a literary workplace. So you would've seen the usual suspects: <i>To Kill a Mockingbird</i>, <i>Catch-22</i>, <i>Atlas Shrugged</i>, and probably a mishmash of Wilde, Huxley, Fitzgerald, and -- my, my -- Joyce.<br />
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I kept an edition of <i>Ulysses</i> by James Joyce on the top shelf until I finally broke down and had this conversation with myself:<br />
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Why is this getting top billing?<br />
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<i>Because it’s...well, it’s a classic.</i><br />
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But you haven’t read it.<br />
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<i>Of course not. NOBODY has read it. But it’s a classic, dummy.</i><br />
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Today the top few rows of my bookshelves illustrate my actual path in life. You’re welcome to impress everyone with Joyce and Melville, but those aren't the books that instilled the writing bug in me. My path -- now represented by a new Row 1- - includes the books that entertained me as a young man; the ones that kept me up past my bedtime; the ones that blazed a mark of joy on my soul.<br />
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What’s up there today? Well, I have an original copy of <i>The Tower Treasure</i>, by Franklin W. Dixon. Yep, the Hardy Boys kept me out of trouble for a few years, and for that they deserve a place of honor. Stephen King’s <i>The Stand</i> is sitting there, still freaking me out after all these years. I credit Arthur C. Clarke’s <i>Rendezvous with Rama</i> as the book that lit a fire in me to write, and it’s on Row 1. I don’t often laugh out loud while I’m reading, but I practically wept while laughing through Lamb, by Christopher Moore.<br />
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And yes, because she wrote the greatest book I've ever known, Harper Lee still makes the cut.<br />
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The point is, anyone who hangs out on FridayReads is probably -- if they’re honest -- going to have a path similar to mine. Lots of corny adventure stories from their childhood, a few late-night-thrillers that they talked about with friends, a book or two that truly inspired them in some manner, and a volume that evoked pure, unadulterated fun. These represent my literary path in a more honest manner than plopping Virginia Wolff up there and hoping that someone’s impressed.<br />
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No offense to Wolff fans; she was a major talent, no doubt. So was Faulkner, so was Steinbeck, so was Dostoevsky … and I've read and appreciated them all. But I’m past the point where I want to fool myself. I’m proud of my writing, which has fortunately entertained both young adults and their parents; I’m also proud of the heritage of books that delivered me to this stage of my life.<br />
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It’s a fun path, a trail that reminds me of the best times of my life. And that’s what I want staring back at me when I’m sitting patiently at the keyboard, pounding out chapter eight.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229093568907196459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-34536543649530770872011-05-13T13:26:00.000-04:002011-05-13T13:26:47.997-04:00This is what your FridayReads team is reading now...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtuKY7uHIt4WYLmeODdhBvsle9TvwvhgUlpZiVb5PtxEZ8u8Jm_oB_-DX4Oscg6JCBYue79Zq40e-QG-4d_gFjVALWnV1PAUc4azK-DnEa_ds7-ia_IShz_ARqjIE6tSNeuJan5FvVEU/s1600/VACLAV+%2526+LENA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtuKY7uHIt4WYLmeODdhBvsle9TvwvhgUlpZiVb5PtxEZ8u8Jm_oB_-DX4Oscg6JCBYue79Zq40e-QG-4d_gFjVALWnV1PAUc4azK-DnEa_ds7-ia_IShz_ARqjIE6tSNeuJan5FvVEU/s200/VACLAV+%2526+LENA.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bookmavenmedia.com/">Bethanne:</a></span></b> VACLAV & LENA by Haley Tanner, which is the story of two Russian immigrant children in present-day Brighton Beach who have dreams of performing a magic act at Coney Island, despite real-life drawbacks. Utterly original, charming, poignant, and most important -- real.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUvGzzzRvquwORTuijpYLnNBoBIAkf63dRxiAp5Shi1rglJ19KjMKIMcZmg89TIOMbSxC67yyh9nxdoY0wJrs2Z3vMmHIKngdLrQdsHySLlCYYzd075g37PTpg-MrOc7NRf1_xXrqrK8/s1600/Fun+%2526+Games.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUvGzzzRvquwORTuijpYLnNBoBIAkf63dRxiAp5Shi1rglJ19KjMKIMcZmg89TIOMbSxC67yyh9nxdoY0wJrs2Z3vMmHIKngdLrQdsHySLlCYYzd075g37PTpg-MrOc7NRf1_xXrqrK8/s200/Fun+%2526+Games.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.erin-faye.com/">Erin:</a> </span></b>I'm reading FUN & GAMES by Duane Swierczynski, which is out June 20. Is ever there was an instant classic, this is it. And it makes me want to visit LA.<br />
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Also still reading THE CAMELOT CONSPIRACY by E. Duke Vincent.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLMgwWH5jUCyrfMCoNsXRq6V5Eu91gMBls-AQcOZoBMMEhl2UtUp20mmhZmG00p3n_n_pfxuDOXCVPWHcts25ey0G1NGZkjQe1smG2kpSSEOtMQRSr2XYzIiOu9p8g-1KiNMO_yhs_78/s1600/myths_of_the_norseman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLMgwWH5jUCyrfMCoNsXRq6V5Eu91gMBls-AQcOZoBMMEhl2UtUp20mmhZmG00p3n_n_pfxuDOXCVPWHcts25ey0G1NGZkjQe1smG2kpSSEOtMQRSr2XYzIiOu9p8g-1KiNMO_yhs_78/s200/myths_of_the_norseman.jpg" width="127" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bookmeme.net/">Ian:</a></span></b> Still reading MYTHS OF THE NORSEMEN FROM THE EDDAS AND SAGAS by H.A. Guerber. Published in 1909, it's a great book for getting into Norse mythology. I'm reading it on my Kindle for Android app as I travel to and from work.<br />
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Still reading WHAT THE DOG SAW by Malcolm Gladwell. Still enjoying the detail into which he goes. Some of the stories are very moving.<br />
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I'm obviously in the 'slow readers' group at the moment. My only excuse is that I have to spend lots of time looking lovingly at my baby daughter.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EGuOxH11cpSr8jvfzfxpHl2nyhKzdN2QdPUMDOqUpOM90aRTRDE2dx_lxPmYa5IJsY04-dkoEBvKwq3Pp_2n4XAY5AybN7mjU2o3M08zYhUgr4zkju-8se2x_3lSPteMvQhOkPor21A/s1600/THE+FILTER+BUBBLE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EGuOxH11cpSr8jvfzfxpHl2nyhKzdN2QdPUMDOqUpOM90aRTRDE2dx_lxPmYa5IJsY04-dkoEBvKwq3Pp_2n4XAY5AybN7mjU2o3M08zYhUgr4zkju-8se2x_3lSPteMvQhOkPor21A/s200/THE+FILTER+BUBBLE.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thebookladysblog.com/">Rebecca:</a> </span></b>I'm reading THE FILTER BUBBLE by Eli Pariser, about what the internet hides from us and LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, a collection of short stories by Adam Ross whose debut novel MR PEANUT was one of my favorites of 2010.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxS3ER9VhXcCl2HVHTx-dXhhXdWd4E8guGI779epg_R5Pk6ygTcZdhK_EP86SRkNaoAGmG87DrFCm2quUgI_RGzQKInvnl1ZRIExpL0PVJ_tTSXCLXSTyzbLLfN25Vpl1JWYNSaMV7Ej8/s1600/BLOOD%252C+BONES+AND+BUTTER+by+Gabrielle+Hamilto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxS3ER9VhXcCl2HVHTx-dXhhXdWd4E8guGI779epg_R5Pk6ygTcZdhK_EP86SRkNaoAGmG87DrFCm2quUgI_RGzQKInvnl1ZRIExpL0PVJ_tTSXCLXSTyzbLLfN25Vpl1JWYNSaMV7Ej8/s200/BLOOD%252C+BONES+AND+BUTTER+by+Gabrielle+Hamilto.jpg" width="125" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lisabadams.com/">Lisa:</a> </span></b>I wish I had more exciting reading news but I am still on BLOOD, BONES & BUTTER by Gabrielle Hamilton this week...<br />
send me more hours in the day, please!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTB_-ROX_31Jc77wmcPolnh6g9WpU3GVlAWloy3yH8BvmgMJglvKgMJGXQAbC-jSgJ6SrcopuymwiHCz39tM460QGwtby7TxideNA2ZGoywlxlRT9cZC2_rf_wYV0wHsDy_T8JkcqOt5Y/s1600/A+LONG+WAY+DOWN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTB_-ROX_31Jc77wmcPolnh6g9WpU3GVlAWloy3yH8BvmgMJglvKgMJGXQAbC-jSgJ6SrcopuymwiHCz39tM460QGwtby7TxideNA2ZGoywlxlRT9cZC2_rf_wYV0wHsDy_T8JkcqOt5Y/s200/A+LONG+WAY+DOWN.jpg" width="126" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lydiaondrusek.com/">Lydia:</a> </span></b>I’m reading Nick Hornby’s A LONG WAY DOWN, the story of four diverse people who find themselves turned into an odd family when they all try (and fail) to jump from the same building on New Year’s Eve. It’s written in the voices of all four by turns; conversational and touching. Honest. Really makes you think!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWFy-YWxxWWAc-hV8bxwEVsZmvci3sMIgV8rXyOo8kFg_Lvxs9U8omdEpbhFPjSulB2rHrE_uTr-_e6BIafOLjGFz47uj2FFBz-Ktkc-8U1VPFBqCHfXKvjiFTcTnpLEoN7SNlRM8w7U/s1600/LETTERS+TO+MY+TORTURER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWFy-YWxxWWAc-hV8bxwEVsZmvci3sMIgV8rXyOo8kFg_Lvxs9U8omdEpbhFPjSulB2rHrE_uTr-_e6BIafOLjGFz47uj2FFBz-Ktkc-8U1VPFBqCHfXKvjiFTcTnpLEoN7SNlRM8w7U/s200/LETTERS+TO+MY+TORTURER.jpg" width="125" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/erinlcox">Erin C.:</a></span></b> LETTERS TO MY TORTURER by Houshang Asadi. He just won the International Human Rights Award for the book, which is his story of being imprisoned in one of the cruelest prisons in Iran in the form of letters to Brother Hamid, the man who torturered him. So powerful and moving. It comes out in paperback in the US next month.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yc1wSzGTPPexgrFWGD0pKUp0ftrOS7J_aaCsodSMMu09CDOg0MGUWRY-bbYiYHhG44qUE-tcHvkiTT1H5IbsFUmlCK6MsKwEtULpi6P5G6matN4sGjQ1jSAGcFNwj8izp6rLjrkxZVE/s1600/Jon+McGregor%2527s+EVEN+THE+DOGS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yc1wSzGTPPexgrFWGD0pKUp0ftrOS7J_aaCsodSMMu09CDOg0MGUWRY-bbYiYHhG44qUE-tcHvkiTT1H5IbsFUmlCK6MsKwEtULpi6P5G6matN4sGjQ1jSAGcFNwj8izp6rLjrkxZVE/s200/Jon+McGregor%2527s+EVEN+THE+DOGS.jpg" width="125" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://ibc4.wordpress.com/">Ian C.:</a></span></b> Another update from the Slow Readers Group:<br />
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I am currently reading REMAINDER by Tom McCarthy, Jasper Fforde's SHADES OF GREY and last but not least Jon McGregor's EVEN THE DOGS.<br />
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Foolishly or not, this might be why I'm not finishing anything, I have also started reading--on my Kindle--TO THE LIGHTHOUSE by Virginia Woolf<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEbEhpym-MOPUM7Y5ROejUvBlYbM7abRAzeL-6D3BfhFqVq8qs73uWSerorXgOmXnifJJxjVkqSsV_LSG3jkKYYCnns2WIaO_RH38HrOFhmo-5NyZHyrcEEL5sBf0gumCGheMYcjdp44/s1600/THE+WATERY+PART+OF+THE+WORLD+by+Michael+Parker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEbEhpym-MOPUM7Y5ROejUvBlYbM7abRAzeL-6D3BfhFqVq8qs73uWSerorXgOmXnifJJxjVkqSsV_LSG3jkKYYCnns2WIaO_RH38HrOFhmo-5NyZHyrcEEL5sBf0gumCGheMYcjdp44/s200/THE+WATERY+PART+OF+THE+WORLD+by+Michael+Parker.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://regularrumination.wordpress.com/">Leslie</a></span></b>: I'm reading THE WATERY PART OF THE WORLD by Michael Parker. I loved the first two chapters and I am excited to read more.<br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229093568907196459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-46995371991234694152011-05-13T12:41:00.000-04:002011-05-13T12:41:44.441-04:00Top 47 Best Read List (May 6, 2011)Based on the FridayReads posts on May 6, 2011, here's the <b>Best Read List</b>:<br />
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1. DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth<br />
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2. DEAD RECKONING by Charlaine Harris<br />
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3. A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD by Jennifer Egan<br />
BOSSYPANTS by Tina Fey<br />
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5. FREEDOM by Jonathan Franzen<br />
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6. ROOM by Emma Donoghue<br />
THE PARIS WIFE by Paula McLain<br />
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen<br />
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9. HARD BITTEN by Chloe Neill<br />
SOMETHING BORROWED by Emily Griffin<br />
THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett<br />
THE KITCHEN DAUGHTER by Jael McHenry<br />
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13. A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES by Deborah Harkness<br />
CALEBS CROSSING by Geraldine Brooks<br />
CUTTING FOR STONE by Abraham Verghese<br />
GAME OF THRONES by George R R Martin<br />
SKIPPY DIES by Paul Murray<br />
SO MUCH PRETTY by Cara Hoffman<br />
THE FIRM by John Grisham<br />
THE TRAGEDY OF ARTHUR by Arthur Phillips<br />
UNFAMILIAR FISHES by Sarah Vowell<br />
YOUR VOICE IN MY HEAD by Emma Forrest<br />
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23. A CLASH OF KINGS by George R R Martin<br />
BLOOD BONES AND BUTTER by Gabrielle Hamilton<br />
CLEOPATRA A LIFE by Stacy Schiff<br />
DRAGON BOUND by Thea Harrison<br />
ETRE THE COW by Sean Kenniff<br />
GREAT HOUSE by Nicole Krauss<br />
HOUNDED by Kevin Hearne<br />
HUNTRESS by Christine Warren & Marjorie M Liu & Caitlin Kittredge & Jenna MacLain<br />
I’D KNOW YOU ANYWHERE by Laura Lippman<br />
INFINITE JEST by David Foster Wallace<br />
MOMENTS OF MASTERY by Lauren Zimmerman<br />
PLANTING DANDELIONS by Kyran Pittman<br />
THE BIRD SISTERS by Rebecca Rasmussen<br />
THE COFFINS OF LITTLE HOPE by Timothy Schaffert<br />
THE HAPPINESS HYPOTHESIS FINDING MODERN TRUTH IN ANCIENT WISDOM by Jonathan Haidt<br />
THE HYPNOTIST by M.J. Rose<br />
THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS by Rebecca Skloot<br />
THE LONELY POLYGAMIST by Brady Udall<br />
THE PASSAGE by Justin Cronin<br />
THE SISTERS BROTHERS by Patrick DeWitt<br />
THE WEIRD SISTERS by Eleanor Brown<br />
THE WHITE DEVIL by Justin Evans<br />
THE WINDUP BIRD CHRONICLE by Haruki Murakami<br />
THRONE OF FIRE by Rick Riordan<br />
TOWNIE by Andre Dubus III<br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229093568907196459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-91795626598663845292011-05-06T09:29:00.005-04:002011-05-06T09:29:00.358-04:00Guest Blogger: Melissa Dalton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-vbhdGwTaEobfPuPktnGOg-b-_2nzpNaqn61UU4ckzrfruWy2mxE3gYP6Q7GowgmL2l4BjC3orw_iy9fhJlZ7oKbdD8UJP-F1neQokaNNLaK_XHkW17-k539cdmC-o4nPHvZ_Nyi9r0/s1600/MelissaDalton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-vbhdGwTaEobfPuPktnGOg-b-_2nzpNaqn61UU4ckzrfruWy2mxE3gYP6Q7GowgmL2l4BjC3orw_iy9fhJlZ7oKbdD8UJP-F1neQokaNNLaK_XHkW17-k539cdmC-o4nPHvZ_Nyi9r0/s200/MelissaDalton.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Melissa Dalton<br />
Blog: <a href="http://eulana.wordpress.com/">www.eulana.wordpress.com</a><br />
Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/eulana">@Eulana</a><br />
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<b>How Reading Changed My Life</b><br />
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I still remember the day I received my first full series of books: <i>Little House on the Prairie</i>. I was in the second grade, and my teacher had just opened the box of book club books that my classmates and I had ordered. You remember those, right? The Scholastic book club for children? Imagine my surprise when my teacher, pulling books out the box, said, “Another one for Melissa!” Nine books later, my desk was covered, and I was in love. I found it hard to concentrate the rest of the day because I kept glancing at my new treasures and running my fingers over their spines. I absolutely couldn't wait to get home and read, and as soon as I got off the bus that afternoon, that’s exactly what I did.<br />
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As a young girl growing up in the middle of nowhere, it was easy for me to identify with the Little House books. All I had to do to imagine Laura Ingalls’s life on the prairie was to look outside my window. I could close my eyes and almost hear the sound of the covered wagons as they made their way over the trails, and I could feel the prairie grasses under my own feet. Needless to say, I was hooked. I read all of the Little House books and then moved on to the <i>Little House on Rocky Ridge</i> series and then any other books I could get my hands on.<br />
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Even now as an adult, I still read as much as possible and am a firm believer in promoting books, libraries, and literacy throughout our society. My passion for reading is also the reason I believe that FridayReads is so important. Each week around the world, book lovers unite by shouting out their favorite books and current reads, whether they be books, blogs, or audio books. FridayReads not only encourages people to read but also exposes us to authors who we may not see on our own.<br />
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Looking back on my life, I know that books have shaped the woman I am today. And if they can do that for me, I can only imagine what they can do for others. I encourage everyone to participate in FridayReads this week (and every week!). You might just find that it’ll change your life.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229093568907196459noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-87465334220711701422011-05-06T09:11:00.017-04:002011-05-06T09:11:00.533-04:00Top 42 Best Read List (April 29, 2011)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Based on the FridayReads posts on April 29, 2011, here's the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>Best Read List</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEq-Uf_0DG85CKlZIFffh4pi-j6AWgxfpFGneJ_SPC9lfE2DhsMxK7kYB_A5gHanCBNgw4TGcEwyKUgN-UDju5VTo5W4FZzi-WTL_tgpkMRw_OkgsBguGALJoliF5dQhzo4XwyGZwxuc8/s1600/IRON+HOUSE+by+John+Hart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEq-Uf_0DG85CKlZIFffh4pi-j6AWgxfpFGneJ_SPC9lfE2DhsMxK7kYB_A5gHanCBNgw4TGcEwyKUgN-UDju5VTo5W4FZzi-WTL_tgpkMRw_OkgsBguGALJoliF5dQhzo4XwyGZwxuc8/s200/IRON+HOUSE+by+John+Hart.jpg" width="129" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>1</b>. A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD by Jennifer Egan</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>2</b>. BOSSYPANTS by Tina Fey</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">IF I LOVED YOU I WOULD TELL YOU THIS by Robin Black</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>4</b>. IRON HOUSE by John Hart</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>5</b>. A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES by Deborah Harkness</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">HORNS by Joe Hill</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHUZGV66qIGMWkc2MiF4a2hK9ZePkujj3HsSYdA2A6zfgcuATHy0aYE1hrtvrKnM2964VHWEF3_9CmqrP6a5CCVa0qwZdBEa5nzFKZ1NupMVGB5CE63qhWbTyExBmzJ1UPz5ShSV7UKM/s1600/THE+VIOLETS+OF+MARCH+by+Sarah+Jio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHUZGV66qIGMWkc2MiF4a2hK9ZePkujj3HsSYdA2A6zfgcuATHy0aYE1hrtvrKnM2964VHWEF3_9CmqrP6a5CCVa0qwZdBEa5nzFKZ1NupMVGB5CE63qhWbTyExBmzJ1UPz5ShSV7UKM/s200/THE+VIOLETS+OF+MARCH+by+Sarah+Jio.jpg" width="132" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE VIOLETS OF MARCH by Sarah Jio</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>9</b>. ANNABEL by Kathleen Winter</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">BLACKOUT by Rob Thurman</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">LITTLE BEE by Chris Cleave</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">MAJOR PETTIGREWS LAST STAND by Helen Simonson</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">MOCKINGJAY by Suzanne Collins</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">SAY HER NAME by Francisco Goldman</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE BIRD SISTERS by Rebecca Rasmussen</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE PALE KING by David Foster Wallace</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE PARIS WIFE by Paula McLain</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUVsPMUQBJ1H5OjZcejNMTnXwLoNg6C6usHxz12YcaDqndx9KAZxH594EaF63_KsNWWIHdpgvQTCXETp_MqH0sKGBA2RsLOZkzZA75ozyzXCU8BXTsSBchsrGdKAYlnLAkUeAIJNh7Vs/s1600/EMBASSYTOWN+by+China+Mieville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUVsPMUQBJ1H5OjZcejNMTnXwLoNg6C6usHxz12YcaDqndx9KAZxH594EaF63_KsNWWIHdpgvQTCXETp_MqH0sKGBA2RsLOZkzZA75ozyzXCU8BXTsSBchsrGdKAYlnLAkUeAIJNh7Vs/s200/EMBASSYTOWN+by+China+Mieville.jpg" width="131" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE TAKER by Alma Katsu</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE TIGERS WIFE by Téa Obreht</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE WEIRD SISTERS by Eleanor Brown</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE WILDER LIFE by Wendy McClure</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>22</b>. 2666 by Roberto Bolano</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">13 LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPES by Maureen Johnson</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">A CLASH OF KINGS by George R R Martin</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">A GAME OF THRONES by George R R Martin</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">CUTTING FOR STONE by Abraham Verghese</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwmrewt-HrGvFFMXxp5aLRpckwn19ECJb_ZLe4pD5clr1lmqdbI1dRagz-PZ5HPEjtiGp67bmw_x76-uAh21QwmtGCaRIvi2xClsR4OEWuT1DLzKLdcGUbCfeA1ytJY1B1VqUCBYeVDk/s1600/THE+FIFTH+WITNESS+by+Michael+Connelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwmrewt-HrGvFFMXxp5aLRpckwn19ECJb_ZLe4pD5clr1lmqdbI1dRagz-PZ5HPEjtiGp67bmw_x76-uAh21QwmtGCaRIvi2xClsR4OEWuT1DLzKLdcGUbCfeA1ytJY1B1VqUCBYeVDk/s200/THE+FIFTH+WITNESS+by+Michael+Connelly.jpg" width="130" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">EMBASSYTOWN by China Miéville</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">FREEDOM by Jonathan Franzen</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">HOUSE RULES by Jodi Picoult</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">PLANTING DANDELIONS by Kyran Pittman</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">PLEASE LOOK AFTER MOM by Kyung-Sook Shin</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">SHIFT by Jeri Smith-Ready</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">SKIPPY DIES by Paul Murray</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">SO MUCH PRETTY by Cara Hoffman</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">STORIES I ONLY TELL MY FRIENDS by Rob Lowe</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE FIFTH WITNESS by Michael Connelly</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0YqjR-k7baYnngpGdpyXae4Y462KibXNtaJ9bTX_2R9lhykJQOZyHoYbOtXT_zrDrCZKpsb2xvuSfsYl-1OIl3oqVa9JSP7zMASNtSDk7ENWCz7fxFe-2PF4_XEIZsnIH0cWaQxwU6Q/s1600/UP+UP+UP+by+Julie+Booker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0YqjR-k7baYnngpGdpyXae4Y462KibXNtaJ9bTX_2R9lhykJQOZyHoYbOtXT_zrDrCZKpsb2xvuSfsYl-1OIl3oqVa9JSP7zMASNtSDk7ENWCz7fxFe-2PF4_XEIZsnIH0cWaQxwU6Q/s200/UP+UP+UP+by+Julie+Booker.jpg" width="130" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE GLASS CASTLE by Jeannette Walls</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE HYPNOTIST by M.J. Rose</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE LINCOLN LAWYER by Michael Connelly</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">UP UP UP by Julie Booker</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">WHERE SHE WENT by Gayle Forman</span></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><br />
</span></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229093568907196459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-82224528249999962972011-05-06T08:30:00.054-04:002011-05-06T08:30:01.149-04:00This is what your FridayReads team is reading now...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCFf-PacyyWZAdLV5kt9rItCXbJiHwBNiL2N6QyxyOdOp77dKWSleDZM3Vma55WO6aYDTVDjDA5Od5ayrIS6BhWiN0-Iqw8JPlyeheKaOspRZigOUcQnyosU17XNrWuD5ubSl2ZncZzc/s1600/STATE+OF+WONDER+by+Ann+Patchett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCFf-PacyyWZAdLV5kt9rItCXbJiHwBNiL2N6QyxyOdOp77dKWSleDZM3Vma55WO6aYDTVDjDA5Od5ayrIS6BhWiN0-Iqw8JPlyeheKaOspRZigOUcQnyosU17XNrWuD5ubSl2ZncZzc/s200/STATE+OF+WONDER+by+Ann+Patchett.jpg" width="124" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bookmavenmedia.com/">Bethanne:</a></span></b> Right now, reading STATE OF WONDER by Ann Patchett, a June release from HarperCollins. It's an engrossing novel about big pharma and the Amazon that brings it all so close I'm practically scratching phantom insect bites.<br />
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I'm also happily engaged with Stephen Greenblatt's upcoming THE SWERVE: How the World Became Modern, from Norton. How can I resist an argument positing that the Renaissance exploded with the find of a single important...book?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuw98sQk68s1gS1tstiQIZlzi2g3sQUm4u4s5Jk3w91KwJhxgEFGe_sVnoSULZzLnRUwAJvTWXOUaHpCDC1GkX0j9pUn-2E-6Fi8n0HG7ItYWO5kEkpXe6pzjTatF9DK7JdygJOO0BnP8/s1600/Camelot+Conspiracy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuw98sQk68s1gS1tstiQIZlzi2g3sQUm4u4s5Jk3w91KwJhxgEFGe_sVnoSULZzLnRUwAJvTWXOUaHpCDC1GkX0j9pUn-2E-6Fi8n0HG7ItYWO5kEkpXe6pzjTatF9DK7JdygJOO0BnP8/s200/Camelot+Conspiracy.jpg" width="125" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.erin-faye.com/">Erin:</a> </span></b>I've traveled back in time via THE CAMELOT CONSPIRACY by E. Duke Vincent, which is brand new from Overlook Press. Mafia + Government = Great Read!<br />
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I also revisited A DROP OF THE HARD STUFF, out May 12 from legendary author Lawrence Block, when <a href="http://www.erin-faye.com/2011/04/interview-with-character-matthew.html">he was gracious enough to let me interview his lead character, Matthew Scudder</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLMgwWH5jUCyrfMCoNsXRq6V5Eu91gMBls-AQcOZoBMMEhl2UtUp20mmhZmG00p3n_n_pfxuDOXCVPWHcts25ey0G1NGZkjQe1smG2kpSSEOtMQRSr2XYzIiOu9p8g-1KiNMO_yhs_78/s1600/myths_of_the_norseman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLMgwWH5jUCyrfMCoNsXRq6V5Eu91gMBls-AQcOZoBMMEhl2UtUp20mmhZmG00p3n_n_pfxuDOXCVPWHcts25ey0G1NGZkjQe1smG2kpSSEOtMQRSr2XYzIiOu9p8g-1KiNMO_yhs_78/s200/myths_of_the_norseman.jpg" width="127" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bookmeme.net/">Ian:</a></span></b> I'm still reading WHAT THE DOG SAW by the one and only Malcolm Gladwell. Fascinating, I like my books that way.<br />
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I am also dipping in to MYTHS OF THE NORSEMEN FROM THE EDDAS AND SAGAS by H. A. Guerber. It's great source material as I'm now working on a blog article about archetypes and stereotypes (inspired by the response to <a href="http://bit.ly/ibfth9">my earlier article about comics</a>).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkt20D0quniuQ4U2rv8JcKV0dw7eEkbldaZ5H3xgsY4c8Er-fI42z4My1PkByCaJoUr_285wppqseeNcnO-BPw1q_RYKx6iTu5HCi3uteld_BNYY7NYNmsRdTSvfrW8a4rfUK6opCBQFI/s1600/YOUR+VOICE+IN+MY+HEAD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkt20D0quniuQ4U2rv8JcKV0dw7eEkbldaZ5H3xgsY4c8Er-fI42z4My1PkByCaJoUr_285wppqseeNcnO-BPw1q_RYKx6iTu5HCi3uteld_BNYY7NYNmsRdTSvfrW8a4rfUK6opCBQFI/s200/YOUR+VOICE+IN+MY+HEAD.jpg" width="124" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.shelfmediagroup.com/">Margaret:</a> </span></b>I'm reading Emma Forrest's memoir YOUR VOICE IN MY HEAD. Quite compelling thus far.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Cv5zISYDeZUUJYteqBdU7r2dAvzWrjEBv73LM9amw1B7hRHgFtIHyVnHU0wfVNKZWsO1jRoVwUpGcZHAwbxTCJCgfHy1HrZ1ZTLmDyEFbLLCwUECqCNP8h6fYA6Rd7cTxcnvpLFIbK0/s1600/Holly+Tucker%2527s+BLOOD+WORK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Cv5zISYDeZUUJYteqBdU7r2dAvzWrjEBv73LM9amw1B7hRHgFtIHyVnHU0wfVNKZWsO1jRoVwUpGcZHAwbxTCJCgfHy1HrZ1ZTLmDyEFbLLCwUECqCNP8h6fYA6Rd7cTxcnvpLFIbK0/s200/Holly+Tucker%2527s+BLOOD+WORK.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thebookladysblog.com/">Rebecca:</a> </span></b>Right now, I'm reading Holly Tucker's BLOOD WORK, about the first blood transfusions and the (incredibly fraught) scientific and moral battles that surrounded them in 17th century Europe. It's an obscure subject I never knew I'd want to read about, but Tucker makes it work.<br />
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And I'm in my happy place with SUGAR IN MY BOWL, a collection of essays and short fiction about sex by women writers, including friend of FridayReads <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/julieklam">Julie Klam</a>!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxS3ER9VhXcCl2HVHTx-dXhhXdWd4E8guGI779epg_R5Pk6ygTcZdhK_EP86SRkNaoAGmG87DrFCm2quUgI_RGzQKInvnl1ZRIExpL0PVJ_tTSXCLXSTyzbLLfN25Vpl1JWYNSaMV7Ej8/s1600/BLOOD%252C+BONES+AND+BUTTER+by+Gabrielle+Hamilto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxS3ER9VhXcCl2HVHTx-dXhhXdWd4E8guGI779epg_R5Pk6ygTcZdhK_EP86SRkNaoAGmG87DrFCm2quUgI_RGzQKInvnl1ZRIExpL0PVJ_tTSXCLXSTyzbLLfN25Vpl1JWYNSaMV7Ej8/s200/BLOOD%252C+BONES+AND+BUTTER+by+Gabrielle+Hamilto.jpg" width="125" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lisabadams.com/">Lisa:</a> </span></b>I have just started BLOOD, BONES AND BUTTER by Gabrielle Hamilton. I lack all cooking ability so I am anxious to read more about this world. I'm only a few chapters in but have heard only wonderful things about it. I am focusing on one book this week because the schedule has been so hectic.<br />
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Heading off to Dani Shapiro's writing workshop in the Berkshires for the weekend and am considering doing an audio book for the drive because it will be a rare occasion where there are no children in the car. If anyone has a great suggestion for that let me know (sometimes great books are not good audio books depending on the reader, so if you particularly liked one you've listened to lately please share. I'm not a frequent listener of audio books).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzj6ON0J5SLbwN-JRESHmXYc3eVG51vCy7PwSziA2_VjVDuhl4LrXHOGiySqt0-8usPzfklt5BhHdOVoBbj51ig8eGnDCmNPaqCtNeMxzOKb0S3GbnjFrMyZMRNOMnrZs0m04Znozn-A/s1600/my-kind-of-place-med.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzj6ON0J5SLbwN-JRESHmXYc3eVG51vCy7PwSziA2_VjVDuhl4LrXHOGiySqt0-8usPzfklt5BhHdOVoBbj51ig8eGnDCmNPaqCtNeMxzOKb0S3GbnjFrMyZMRNOMnrZs0m04Znozn-A/s200/my-kind-of-place-med.jpg" width="129" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lydiaondrusek.com/">Lydia:</a> </span></b>I am feeling that summer “I wish to travel” feeling, & satisfying it with <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/susanorlean">Susan Orlean</a>’s MY KIND OF PLACE and THE BULLFIGHTER CHECKS HER MAKEUP. As someone who used to plan pre-child vacations with her husband on the fly, Mobil Travel Guide on her lap, I’m loving these character-filled essays that wander into places tony guidebooks would never dare to go.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_adh2I6Z8plQkKFSk45IkLkmvjrzd34QyQK9vZSWIOwzIEZqlwHcKiYmPjAEUQjWZDpE2c3ffXtny_aY-n8uAk340z6F1LhBr7jCMCZS_saxCB7iV6DXgKQgxrWpXUSio7D4QiUf-tLE/s1600/strength-in-what-remains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_adh2I6Z8plQkKFSk45IkLkmvjrzd34QyQK9vZSWIOwzIEZqlwHcKiYmPjAEUQjWZDpE2c3ffXtny_aY-n8uAk340z6F1LhBr7jCMCZS_saxCB7iV6DXgKQgxrWpXUSio7D4QiUf-tLE/s200/strength-in-what-remains.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/erinlcox">Erin C.:</a></span></b> I've got a lot on my plate this week! I'm reading and blown away by the manuscript for my brilliant writer, Mike Scotti's memoir THE BLUE CASCADE. I can't wait to deliver it to his editor. A fantastic novel set in East Texas in 1929 (and the second in a collection) by Monte Schulz entitled THE LAST ROSE OF SUMMER. And, Tracy Kidder's brilliant STRENGTH IN WHAT REMAINS. MOUNTAINS BEYOND MOUNTAINS is one of my favorite books and Kidder knocks it out of the park again with this one.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yc1wSzGTPPexgrFWGD0pKUp0ftrOS7J_aaCsodSMMu09CDOg0MGUWRY-bbYiYHhG44qUE-tcHvkiTT1H5IbsFUmlCK6MsKwEtULpi6P5G6matN4sGjQ1jSAGcFNwj8izp6rLjrkxZVE/s1600/Jon+McGregor%2527s+EVEN+THE+DOGS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yc1wSzGTPPexgrFWGD0pKUp0ftrOS7J_aaCsodSMMu09CDOg0MGUWRY-bbYiYHhG44qUE-tcHvkiTT1H5IbsFUmlCK6MsKwEtULpi6P5G6matN4sGjQ1jSAGcFNwj8izp6rLjrkxZVE/s200/Jon+McGregor%2527s+EVEN+THE+DOGS.jpg" width="125" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://ibc4.wordpress.com/">Ian C.:</a></span></b> I'm reading the amazing time-shifting narrative of Jon McGregor's EVEN THE DOGS. Broken sentences, time lapse paragraphs that are stunningly creative.<br />
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Also, Tom McCarthy's REMAINDER, which is devilishly good. And Jasper Fforde's SHADES OF GREY. I'm in a happy book mood.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWa2o6o68OLX4v0z9YfrIo7zZMyvRjp2u2Ie0LGx877wEkpljvL0R7nXjUYpe5ctXjRhVb7IR27TdTtDW19tcd-3DmDG63mGqlniG2S-FI9kAZFSZ4yQdMbH3_PkUCTJg9Wzj2J3p77JQ/s1600/REAL+WORLD+by+Natsuo+Kirino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWa2o6o68OLX4v0z9YfrIo7zZMyvRjp2u2Ie0LGx877wEkpljvL0R7nXjUYpe5ctXjRhVb7IR27TdTtDW19tcd-3DmDG63mGqlniG2S-FI9kAZFSZ4yQdMbH3_PkUCTJg9Wzj2J3p77JQ/s200/REAL+WORLD+by+Natsuo+Kirino.jpg" width="140" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://regularrumination.wordpress.com/">Leslie</a></span></b>: I'm reading REAL WORLD by Natsuo Kirino. Set it Tokyo, it follows four girls who are going to summer school and also happen to be involved in a murder. I like it so far, but I'm just a few pages in.<br />
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Since I'm still in the middle of finals, I've been a little bit more stressed out than usual. When I get stressed out, I like to re-read Harry Potter. It's like comfort food for my brain. It relaxes me and gives me something to look forward to when I can take a short break from my work.<br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229093568907196459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-55864165691786250152011-05-06T08:00:00.002-04:002011-05-06T09:15:37.200-04:00Prizes for May 6, 2011!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNp44TCvA2yHCPLswzMZujLXQ_P9YHnKWTl38hf08ajsTQDItrh_oqFEAo5mBdL3B50lt0aSHj7qHLIRRoLJmvH3wEXPiEJgFBH7Z1fJSrx7Tv3Lk-xeSIYe6QojmWT_ACa9oH10xmjli/s1600/Shelf.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 153px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNp44TCvA2yHCPLswzMZujLXQ_P9YHnKWTl38hf08ajsTQDItrh_oqFEAo5mBdL3B50lt0aSHj7qHLIRRoLJmvH3wEXPiEJgFBH7Z1fJSrx7Tv3Lk-xeSIYe6QojmWT_ACa9oH10xmjli/s400/Shelf.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603564333861735426" /></a><br />It's that time again! If you participate in FridayReads this week, you could win:<div><br /></div><div><b>Every FridayReads participant receives: </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>A free copy of <a href="http://www.epaperflip.com/aglaia/viewer.aspx?docid=0ee7018334d14e6ea2be8cba1e1eef65">Shelf Unbound</a> magazine, featuring the best in indie publishing.<br /><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYq47hR4rf4uLR3Wr5brP33HmJ88pqbqItIPoubjdib74vWdyW1IxgdBNYSrvHxgSrOuDqkXQA9budwcWpYSDKU0r_4WyVns8RaNllBRXIRWk6NnS3j5HxQUovidNr22LgdJne7a55mzQ/s1600/sistersbrothers.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYq47hR4rf4uLR3Wr5brP33HmJ88pqbqItIPoubjdib74vWdyW1IxgdBNYSrvHxgSrOuDqkXQA9budwcWpYSDKU0r_4WyVns8RaNllBRXIRWk6NnS3j5HxQUovidNr22LgdJne7a55mzQ/s400/sistersbrothers.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603436520068905154" /></a><b>When FridayReads reaches 4,000 participants, we will give away 20 copies of:</b><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>The Sisters Brothers</i> by Patrick DeWitt</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Praise:</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Gotham-Book, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; ">“A masterful, hilarious picaresque that keeps company with <span class="il">the</span> best of Charles Portis and Mark Twain, <i><span class="il">The</span> <span class="il">Sisters</span> <span class="il">Brothers</span></i> is a relentlessly absorbing feat of novelistic art.” <span style="font-family: Cambria, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; ">—<span style="font-family: Gotham-Book, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; ">Wells Tower, author of <i>Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned</i> </span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Gotham-Book, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; "><br />“Both homage to <span class="il">the</span> classic Western and knife thrust to its dark underbelly, this novel has a quirky, deadpan exterior and a hard-beating heart; we come to see how men die and how <span class="il">the</span> brotherly bond shifts but holds.... I was intrigued by page one.” <span style="font-family: Cambria, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; ">—<span style="font-family: Gotham-Book, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; ">Library Journal</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Gotham-Book, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; "><br />“DeWitt creates a homage to life in <span class="il">the</span> Wild West but at <span class="il">the</span> same time reveals its brutality.” <span style="font-family: Cambria, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; ">—<span style="font-family: Gotham-Book, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; ">Kirkus Reviews</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Gotham-Book, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; "><br />“A bright, brutal revision of <span class="il">the</span> Western, <i><span class="il">The</span> <span class="il">Sisters</span> <span class="il">Brothers</span></i> offers an unexpected meditation on life, and on <span class="il">the</span> crucial difference between power and strength.” <span style="font-family: Cambria, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; ">—<span style="font-family: Gotham-Book, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; ">Gil Adamson, author of <i><span class="il">The</span> Outlander</i> </span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Gotham-Book, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; "><span style="font-family: Cambria, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; "><span style="font-family: Gotham-Book, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; "><br /></span></span></div><div><b>Also check out <a href="http://www.powells.com/blog/?p=32969">DeWitt's guest blog at Powell's</a>! </b></div></div><div><blockquote></blockquote><br /></div></div></div>Leslie @ This is the Refrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18027804132268043518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-44831018438031119312011-04-29T09:00:00.006-04:002011-04-29T09:00:02.134-04:00Top 39 Best Read List (April 22, 2011)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Based on the FridayReads posts on April 22, 2011, here's the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>Best Read List</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbMCbmrbECgvXqSmaVFijESmmTqBRh9eYhVKPqLvtrgEyXc7GssgW8spZcLYsTzEDWk9gMSIwIKoWHZO6lIjgUnkcdLfftZPEbmLpdKWrucP6a9XWkmmk7N_oDDF3ouTPn1yNKHKk3cE/s1600/bossypants.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbMCbmrbECgvXqSmaVFijESmmTqBRh9eYhVKPqLvtrgEyXc7GssgW8spZcLYsTzEDWk9gMSIwIKoWHZO6lIjgUnkcdLfftZPEbmLpdKWrucP6a9XWkmmk7N_oDDF3ouTPn1yNKHKk3cE/s200/bossypants.png" width="128" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>1</b>. BOSSYPANTS by Tina Fey</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>2</b>. A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD by Jennifer Egan</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE TIGERS WIFE by Tea Obreht</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>4</b>. MOM: A CELEBRATION OF MOTHERS by Storycorps (ed) David Isay</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>5</b>. THE PALE KING by David Foster Wallace</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>7</b>. A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES by Deborah Harkness</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4KuphZvcDKrfVDEe-pXmZKzNJdh3_vVDZt8aGVZ8b_H6-MGexmD1ZfYgxINKd52_sVjHwy65Fpcxpom2KE_Nipv5hoULarT30B-yd33HOiAnYtR1smuryUQJXlfV7FjU60ur4TYXaU8/s1600/CHIME+by+Franny+Billingsley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4KuphZvcDKrfVDEe-pXmZKzNJdh3_vVDZt8aGVZ8b_H6-MGexmD1ZfYgxINKd52_sVjHwy65Fpcxpom2KE_Nipv5hoULarT30B-yd33HOiAnYtR1smuryUQJXlfV7FjU60ur4TYXaU8/s200/CHIME+by+Franny+Billingsley.jpg" width="132" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">CHIME by Franny Billingsley</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE KITCHEN DAUGHTER by Jael McHenry</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>11</b>. IF I LOVED YOU I WOULD TELL YOU THIS by Robin Black</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS by Rebecca Skloot</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>13</b>. 13 LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPES by Maureen Johnson</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">FREEDOM by Johnathan Franzen</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">GAME OF THRONES by George R R Martin</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6J313tOZUnro2rnwjk449cv3ZXJz6QyH7K8eU3Z9-Z29XW4OWYCs-dHqAJ6Y8VqG87F8mlUWq4-KGs5eFAjPOL24x85KIGsADEF94QTLTG8JB5iWJgUF2czS02xzHI3GTxT8bfEZQmw/s1600/RED+GLOVE+by+Holly+Black.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6J313tOZUnro2rnwjk449cv3ZXJz6QyH7K8eU3Z9-Z29XW4OWYCs-dHqAJ6Y8VqG87F8mlUWq4-KGs5eFAjPOL24x85KIGsADEF94QTLTG8JB5iWJgUF2czS02xzHI3GTxT8bfEZQmw/s200/RED+GLOVE+by+Holly+Black.jpg" width="131" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">RED GLOVE by Holly Black</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">REVOLUTION by Jennifer Donnelly</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE BIRD SISTERS by Rebecca Rasmussen</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE MAGICIANS by Lev Grossman</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">WARM BODIES by Isaac Marion</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>21</b>. A GAME OF THRONES by George R R Martin</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS by Cassandra Clare</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE by Jonathan Safran Foer</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">JUST KIDS by Patti Smith</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">MOONWALKING WITH EINSTEIN by Joshua Foer</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMndrJ5lxQBAFnOTOBrtQbtjpsJWPtygxm5sOPMvW-oie9J0s3VXj991BC7k2FVfrRQplCzYAQVdp-IcQz9BUZzwKjAbDglMAhvuN6hqz2nd_uN931iDh9rRwl0O2ckGetPc82Tx8cnrw/s1600/Long-Goodbye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMndrJ5lxQBAFnOTOBrtQbtjpsJWPtygxm5sOPMvW-oie9J0s3VXj991BC7k2FVfrRQplCzYAQVdp-IcQz9BUZzwKjAbDglMAhvuN6hqz2nd_uN931iDh9rRwl0O2ckGetPc82Tx8cnrw/s200/Long-Goodbye.jpg" width="128" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS by Rae Meadows</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">ONE DAY by David Nicholls</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">SAY HER NAME by Francisco Goldman</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">SWAMPLANDIA by Karen Russell</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE GODDESS TEST by Aimee Carter</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE HISTORIAN by Elizabeth Kostova</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE KEEP by Jennifer Egan</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE LONG GOODBYE by Raymond Chandler</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE UNCOUPLING by Meg Wolitzer</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE WEIRD SISTERS by Eleanor Brown</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">THE WISE MANS FEAR by Patrick Rothfuss</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">UNDER THE DOME by Stephen King</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">UNFAMILIAR FISHES by Sarah Vowell</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">WHEN GOD WAS A RABBIT by Sarah Winman</span></span><br />
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</span></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229093568907196459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-51517052909716524022011-04-29T08:30:00.046-04:002011-04-29T08:30:03.390-04:00This is what your FridayReads team is reading now...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uWJmeH8klnf_jsBJiGTg7gF0_gubzS9yfQhZyXkoC0IVDfvtnwWX0cNxwjN1rn6NXYTEaTT0Imuw-7WPpKnGXrVn8o4gIhgpUinIb540v6JSERR8uAXjoO42pYYsZcPSxZf6yKOKp3E/s1600/maine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uWJmeH8klnf_jsBJiGTg7gF0_gubzS9yfQhZyXkoC0IVDfvtnwWX0cNxwjN1rn6NXYTEaTT0Imuw-7WPpKnGXrVn8o4gIhgpUinIb540v6JSERR8uAXjoO42pYYsZcPSxZf6yKOKp3E/s200/maine.jpg" width="134" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bookmavenmedia.com/">Bethanne:</a></span></b> I am reading an advance copy of MAINE by J Courtney Sullivan and THE PARIS WIFE by Paula McClain.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAMt4koQoUS-2CY1aCc0DZaW8GvvFmLE3d-OJ4m8vEHunM5yRdnKna68kk3vXPDmeNbf5LjDesfVYMustsmlk6DgRjP3Bcg_E3_JOoBSojS-YwisMWVD3piyQ36NB6S-G09b83_8XC08/s1600/the+glass+rainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAMt4koQoUS-2CY1aCc0DZaW8GvvFmLE3d-OJ4m8vEHunM5yRdnKna68kk3vXPDmeNbf5LjDesfVYMustsmlk6DgRjP3Bcg_E3_JOoBSojS-YwisMWVD3piyQ36NB6S-G09b83_8XC08/s200/the+glass+rainbow.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.erin-faye.com/">Erin:</a> </span></b>I'm loving every word of James Lee Burke's THE GLASS RAINBOW. Dave Robicheaux and Clete Purcel are in fine form. I was lucky enough to <a href="http://www.erin-faye.com/2011/04/interview-with-character-james-lee.html">write about JLB, Dave and Clete earlier this week</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfU_tjgaHWm6gJtt27EXahJjCrsJzObd7qnrkcLTs6EICnVfaC7AgVxZd7AhAutCt5vUDhzCCbGhQg30-b4eB77K8woqroM2Uuw63felQErDo9iVPBv5-A1FgZz0MN2npxZQoulFhBaA/s1600/WHAT+THE+DOG+SAW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfU_tjgaHWm6gJtt27EXahJjCrsJzObd7qnrkcLTs6EICnVfaC7AgVxZd7AhAutCt5vUDhzCCbGhQg30-b4eB77K8woqroM2Uuw63felQErDo9iVPBv5-A1FgZz0MN2npxZQoulFhBaA/s200/WHAT+THE+DOG+SAW.jpg" width="123" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bookmeme.net/">Ian:</a></span></b> I'm about halfway through WHAT THE DOG SAW and OTHER ADVENTURES by Malcom Gladwell. Enjoying the stories very much. As it's taken from the New Yorker articles pieces are that bit more intense and focused than the books.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5sKS6ETnfaF6uvdsi9_r7Ar0OaQCwAIyw8PLg9trIuSMuh6zSYXLYSj9SAFRsalLV-giBRG3w3sY9SFJfDhE9Cp0PBqa67286ydBPMlqabiJSIKrBYF15lOMkgK_IBajUMTIL-1bMv4/s1600/PHYSICS+OF+THE+FUTURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5sKS6ETnfaF6uvdsi9_r7Ar0OaQCwAIyw8PLg9trIuSMuh6zSYXLYSj9SAFRsalLV-giBRG3w3sY9SFJfDhE9Cp0PBqa67286ydBPMlqabiJSIKrBYF15lOMkgK_IBajUMTIL-1bMv4/s200/PHYSICS+OF+THE+FUTURE.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.shelfmediagroup.com/">Margaret:</a> </span></b>I'm reading PHYSICS OF THE FUTURE: HOW SCIENCE WILL SHAPE HUMAN DESTINY AND OUR DAILY LIVES BY THE YEAR 2100 by Michio Kaku. It's highly readable and fascinating. Did you know, for example, that your cell phone has more computing power than ALL of NASA's computers in 1969?<br />
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I started BOSSYPANTS and was underwhelmed. Much to my surprise because I <b>love </b>Tina Fey and was fascinated by her NPR interview about the book. Hmmm ...<br />
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I'm reading THE LAST WEREWOLF by Glen Duncan, which comes out in July from Knopf. Dark, gristly literary fiction about the man who is supposedly the last werewolf on earth. Not my usual fare, and it is fan-freaking-tastic.<br />
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I am also reading Tina Fey's BOSSYPANTS this week for something light. I am enjoying it a lot but am wondering about my sense of humor; I'm not laughing out loud the way so many people are reporting! Maybe I am a tough sell...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUSwObkI_gerT2FP8HPESCQ3vilhH3syWJhU7LZVhZYhH2znHJ7coyesw7FAQORTVXJeFPkTMCoKR8qbfxkFIouQMzbZg8Qy1IFgQr1lwOx09VkNjS5cE0JIwwuBVkknHllgu38XNw3Q/s1600/ATTACHMENTS+by+Rainbow+Rowell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUSwObkI_gerT2FP8HPESCQ3vilhH3syWJhU7LZVhZYhH2znHJ7coyesw7FAQORTVXJeFPkTMCoKR8qbfxkFIouQMzbZg8Qy1IFgQr1lwOx09VkNjS5cE0JIwwuBVkknHllgu38XNw3Q/s200/ATTACHMENTS+by+Rainbow+Rowell.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lydiaondrusek.com/">Lydia:</a> </span></b>I’m smiling my way through ATTACHMENTS by Rainbow Rowell, the story of a knightly IT guy who’s falling in love with an invisible movie critic princess in a computer tower.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0G-c7oUmiTme635NVUn4-JWKgxj42i2BQpKwGd1OrrGaIA2o4G_D55155tO5H36gWrKY7kE0OiGpo3H8p5Z97YE0OH3garAg-EsYp8PER9ks87jgqLbIkxFSQo77Yldldj6qFm0yKznQ/s1600/we+are+not+alone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0G-c7oUmiTme635NVUn4-JWKgxj42i2BQpKwGd1OrrGaIA2o4G_D55155tO5H36gWrKY7kE0OiGpo3H8p5Z97YE0OH3garAg-EsYp8PER9ks87jgqLbIkxFSQo77Yldldj6qFm0yKznQ/s200/we+are+not+alone.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/erinlcox">Erin C.:</a></span></b> In honor of SETI shutting down, I'm reading WE ARE NOT ALONE by Dirk Schulze-Makuch and David Darling...a fascinating look on how we have already found extraterrestrial life. It's time to <i>believe</i>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUtfiv_EyY41nKiZsTlHJKRCw7GvqFJxev5_rmCEqxF0u4hQcwnwd0KgV7GJzuNBUD1S04w1CBQeYGjfAUKnTh1CsB_5DuDNsNDMWCVzK5E-AHQzuB5ovgytcvoE3qhHpmJ91tBj4QSw/s1600/bonk-cover.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUtfiv_EyY41nKiZsTlHJKRCw7GvqFJxev5_rmCEqxF0u4hQcwnwd0KgV7GJzuNBUD1S04w1CBQeYGjfAUKnTh1CsB_5DuDNsNDMWCVzK5E-AHQzuB5ovgytcvoE3qhHpmJ91tBj4QSw/s200/bonk-cover.gif" width="133" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://ibc4.wordpress.com/">Ian C.:</a></span></b> I have just finished Mary Roach's BONK. An excellent read, as if Malcolm Gladwell wrote about sex. But funnier.<br />
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So, I'm still reading Jasper Fforde's SHADES OF GRAY, Tom McCarthy's REMAINDER, and Jon McGregor's EVEN THE DOGS.<br />
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Hope to finish all three over the long Bank Holiday weekend!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZrjIAOnHtG7ePLGb4ep-nX_-WwRnAT66T9zJx5KW9MUXQt0HobmPFHwzbz8-r2SVqhMZhibgGRDm7epSFZSUBhYYyCtpvSr5bNnIjzZjUA8MaXviA_0IQHtgemP9KIbL6sOUebWZd9k/s1600/THE+CIVILIZED+WORLD+by+Susi+Wyss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZrjIAOnHtG7ePLGb4ep-nX_-WwRnAT66T9zJx5KW9MUXQt0HobmPFHwzbz8-r2SVqhMZhibgGRDm7epSFZSUBhYYyCtpvSr5bNnIjzZjUA8MaXviA_0IQHtgemP9KIbL6sOUebWZd9k/s200/THE+CIVILIZED+WORLD+by+Susi+Wyss.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://regularrumination.wordpress.com/">Leslie</a></span></b>: I'm reading THE CIVILIZED WORLD by Susi Wyss, a book of connected short stories about people who live in the Ivory Coast and Ghana. I'm trying to read a book by an author from every country in the world and I had a difficult time finding an author from the Ivory Coast at my local library. Susi Wyss spent much of her life living in the Ivory Coast, so I decided to read this one for now.<br />
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I'm also reading THE PRESIDENT by Nobel-prize winner Miguel Ángel Asturias for class. I'm writing my final paper on the translation of this novel because it incorporates a lot of surrealism, which is understandably difficult to translate. What I have learned from reading this again in English: I understood nothing the first time around. Surrealism is hard in your second language.<br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229093568907196459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307761826854080308.post-56561702312535428502011-04-29T08:10:00.003-04:002011-04-29T09:05:44.120-04:00Guest Blogger: Alexandra Robbins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumy7eh0LWhk7RN3HdQHOFwBfIRB6_3aFkC1cepOLWXSeH_b7ylEikfzeEEAaGywEg1TIwY1DqSVg4f-XRUJRmRXCkWDBeBs011a-BUkHcbMAUI5WV-wen-Aj6E4Gdz9LMmp9_Y_6FaeE/s1600/Geeks+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumy7eh0LWhk7RN3HdQHOFwBfIRB6_3aFkC1cepOLWXSeH_b7ylEikfzeEEAaGywEg1TIwY1DqSVg4f-XRUJRmRXCkWDBeBs011a-BUkHcbMAUI5WV-wen-Aj6E4Gdz9LMmp9_Y_6FaeE/s200/Geeks+Cover.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>Alexandra Robbins<br />
Blog: <a href="http://alexandrarobbins.com/">alexandrarobbins.com</a><br />
Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/AlexndraRobbins">@AlexndraRobbins</a><br />
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On an overcast April evening, I’m strolling through a marvelously quirky independent bookstore with Danielle, 18, who chose her college partly because of its proximity to this converted 19th-century building, her favorite store in the world. Danielle trails her fingers along the shelves as we browse. She has preferred bookstores to libraries ever since the time a friend opened a library book to find a most unexpected piece of salami.<br />
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“Did anyone ever call you a bookworm to your face?” I ask her.<br />
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“So much,” she says. “In seventh grade, when I was grounded, someone at school asked, ‘What are you grounded from?’ and I said, ‘Everything. Even reading.’ Everyone laughed, and she said, ‘You’re such a nerd, you get grounded from reading? Who does that?!’”<br />
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Seventh grade was tough for Danielle. That year, more than half of her classmates joined a popular club. Danielle didn't discover until they eagerly persuaded her to join that it was the I Hate Danielle Club. They had convinced her to become a member of her own hate club. When I began following Danielle three years later as The Loner, a character in my book, she was still haunted by seventh grade. But she didn't let her classmates’ continued taunting deter her from reading at every opportunity.<br />
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During the reporting of THE GEEKS SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH, which follows six outsiders and one popular cheerleader through a school year, I heard from many students who had been alienated and harassed for being “bookworms.” Classmates made fun of them not only because of what they read (classics, fantasy, foreign-language novels, manga) but also that they enjoyed reading at all.<br />
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Contrary to stereotype, they didn't read because they were outsiders; they were outsiders because they read. But these students recognized that reading is more than just reading. Reading can be solitary and sedentary, yes, but it can also be expressive, energizing, cathartic, and reciprocal: Books are both a repository for overflowing emotions and a catalyst that can arouse new feelings and spur one to action. At the same time, reading is un-meditative introspection, a way to learn about yourself without a focused inward gaze.<br />
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Most of all, reading is fun. In a landscape fraught with standardized tests demanding rote memorization, not enough schools are sending that message. But Sachse High School is. Every day at the Texas school, for fifteen minutes after third period, all 2,600 students and every professional staff member must sit in a classroom and read for pleasure. In the years since Sachse introduced this program, the culture of the school has changed. Students who would have been shunned in years past for reading for fun are no longer automatic outcasts. Everyone does it. <br />
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FridayReads is like a global Sachse High School, a regular reminder to people like Danielle that a love of reading is a quality to treasure, rather than an idiosyncrasy to mock. FridayReads exemplifies the connectivity of reading, that to be a bookworm is more than just burrowing through pages, digesting word after word until emerging from the back flap, satiated and engorged. Bookworms are members of an affable, responsive community in which reading alone doesn't make someone a loner. <br />
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Danielle knows this now. Not only did her passion for books lead me to choose her to be a main character in mine, but also it doesn't spoil too much of her storyline to reveal that ultimately, the first new friendship she was able to form after four years of reticence was forged by a love of the same novel.<br />
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“I like being a bookworm,” Danielle tells me now. “I am not ashamed to read.”<br />
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<i>The Geeks Shall Inherit The Earth: Popularity, Quirk Theory, and Why Outsiders Thrive After High School will be published May 3 and can be pre-ordered at any major bookstore. For more information, please visit <a href="http://alexandrarobbins.com/">alexandrarobbins.com</a>. Contact Alexandra Robbins at <a href="http://facebook.com/thegeeksshallinherit">facebook.com/thegeeksshallinherit</a> or on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/AlexndraRobbins">@AlexndraRobbins</a>.</i>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229093568907196459noreply@blogger.com1