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A Death in the Family 
Agee, James
This classic includes some of the finest writing I've ever read. It's the story of Rufus Follett, whose father is killed in a car wreck in 1915, outside of Knoxville, TN. Each sentence is perfect, lyrical and memorable. |
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True History of the Kelly Gang
Carey, Peter
A fictional memoir of Ned Kelly, part outlaw, part folk hero of 19th-century Australia. Ned explains how loyalty, desperation and injustice led to his reputation as a notorious criminal and murderer. Run-on sentences and nary a comma illustrate a life of violence and crushing poverty with surprising warmth and humor. |
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The High Window
Chandler, Raymond
Set in 1940, this book has beautiful, simple prose, rich detail and characterization, and flawless pacing. Detective Philip Marlowe must sort out the complex motives and secrets of a wealthy Pasadena family. You won't get explosions, modern technology or lots of blood, but a story of life in a bygone time. |
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The Mistress of Spices
Divakaruni, Chitra Banerjee
This novel tells the story of a woman who heals and connects with people through the spices she sells in her store. Beautifully written, endearing characters and a love story to boot! Has recently been made into a movie, which is terrible. Stick with the book - it's a treat! |
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The Whistling Seasone
Doig, Ivan
Paul Milliron recounts his year as a 7th-grader in a one-room Montana schoolhouse in 1910. Rose is the housekeeper who "can't cook, but doesn't bite," and her bookish brother Morrie is the schoolmaster. Deliciously constructed sentences ring with humor and warmth, a sort of cross between Dickens and Will Rogers. Delightful. |
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What is the What
Eggers, Dave
This amazing autobiography/memoir/fictional imagining of one Sudanese Lost Boy will have you laughing (improbably), crying (copiously) and pondering (perpetually) what it took to survive and occasionally thrive faced with war, loss and hopelessness. |
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Venetia
Heyer, Georgette
Best from the Best! Georgette Heyer at the full height of her skill, crafting this witty yet moving Regency novel that is informed throughout with the author's deep perception of human nature and human folly. Jane Austen herself never wrote better. Timeless. Charming. Inspiring. |
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How to Cook a Tart
Killham, Nina
This is not a cookbook but a hilarious tale about a Zaftig cook who never met a stick of butter she didn't like, her philandering husband and rebellious teen daughter. No fair peeking ahead to the ending! |
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The Highest Tide
Lynch, Jim
A beautiful coming-of-age novel about a boy who finds a giant squid in Puget Sound. Fabulously written. I couldn't put it down. |
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On Chesil Beach
McEwan, Ian
Florence and Edward are young, innocent and newly married. At their honeymoon dinner both struggle with private fear of the wedding night. A thoughtful and insightful novel about human relationships. |
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The Last Chinese Chef
Mones, Nicole
In the most effortless way possible Nicole Mones provides her readers with both historical and contemporary perspectives on China. Her fascinating explanation of China's culinary traditions, as experienced by her well-drawn, intriguing protagonists, educates and entertains. |
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Anil's Ghost
Ondaatje, Michael
Beautiful, poetic language. This book is a complex, socially-conscious look at the atrocities of the Sri Lankan civil war through the eyes of a forensic scientist and archaeologist who are investigating the bones of a political murder victim. |
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All Over Creation
Ozeki, Ruth
Prodigal daughter Yumi Fuller returns to her parents' Idaho potato farm to care for her ailing parents. Unlikely help comes from "The Seeds of Resistance," environmental activists who travel the country promoting awareness of the dangers of genetically modified foods. Ozeki weaves her environmental polemic into an unpredictable and entertaining tale. |
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Still Life
Penny, Louise
A beloved villager is found dead in the woods, killed by an arrow. Hunting accident? Murder? Is this a British mystery? No, it takes place in Quebec, and Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is a delight. You'll beg for more of this series. |
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Possible Side Effects
Burroughs, Augusten
By the author of Running with Scissors, this is a collection of vignettes - riotous moments in the author's life. He's so painfully honest and forthcoming you have to love the guy.
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Collapse
Diamond, Jared
Finally! An environmental book that addresses the cultural component. Taking the long view, Diamond writes factually, a nice relief from a lot of environmentalism that plays on readers' emotions. I recommend chapters 15 and 16 for those who can't tackle all 550 pages.
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Why Geography Matters
de Blij, Harm
An incredibly detailed overview of the impact of climate change, the emergence of China as a political economic powerhouse and the deep global and cross-continental roots of terrorism. Every American should read this!
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Sex with the Lights On
DooLittle, Ducky
Friendly, entertaining, accessible and informational - this is possibly my favorite sex-ed book. Ducky DooLittle clearly loves to talk with people about sex - from the medical to the 'best friend' confessional. I recommend it.
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Catch Me a Colobus
Durrell, Gerald
Imagine visiting remote places with an affable English animal collector with a lively sense of humor. This book takes you to Sierra Leone and Mexico, where the animals invariably provide zany incidents and dramatic moments. Read for the people, the animals, the travelogue or just for the company of this gentle man.
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Andy Goldsworthy: A Collaboration with Nature
Goldsworthy, Andy
A visually stunning reminder that art is all around us. My 2½-year-old son was very intrigued by this book, and it was fun for us to go out and make art in a very approachable way, while appreciating nature at the same time.
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Against Love: A Polemic
Kipnis, Laura
This rather uncomfortable read is a "must" for anyone who has been married, is married or wants to be married. Kipnis argues persuasively that the expectations for marriage in the United States are impossible to meet.
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Conservatize Me: How I Tried to Become a Righty with the Help of Richard Nixon, Sean Hannity, Toby Keith and Beef Jerky
Moe, John
Local author Moe, a typical Seattle liberal, tries to understand conservative views on country music, SUVs, WalMart and beef jerky among other things, through talk radio. This is a great book for anyone who thinks there is only one correct way to think.
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What Do We Know
Oliver, Mary
Beautiful, succinct poems and stanzas of Oliver's attachment to nature - not in the abstract way of man's relation to nature but to the everyday thankfulness for a bee, a flower or a snowflake.
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Classical Music for Dummies
Pogue, David and Speck, Scott
Despite the embarrassing title, this is the best introduction to classical western music, taking the reader from the basics to compositional theory, and one of the few to include instrument illustrations and a CD of simple music.
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The Private Lives of the Impressionists
Roe, Sue
Having studied art and the Impressionists since college, it was fun peeking in to see (behind the scenes) how Monet, Degas, Manet, Pissaro, etc. lived their lives. It's a real soap opera!
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Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Sedaris, David
Humorous essays on childhood and growing up in a colorful household. Anyone with brothers and sisters can relate, and also be relieved that they are not in this family.
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The Planets
Sobel, Dava
Sobel approaches the solar system with the gift of a storyteller. Through myth, poetry and other conduits, she makes science wonderfully accessible.
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