Contrary to popular belief, we don't sit around and read all day long. BUT we do our best to get through as many books as we can so that we can look for and find those great reads that you are looking for! We all have slightly different sensibilities so we made sure who to mark who was recommending what. Enjoy the list and feel free to let us know what you think, too!

Also, stay tuned to this page because we will be adding to it regularly. And I promise that we'll have pictures soon. Getting the staff to all gather for a photo is proving a little daunting. Apparently no one likes to have their pictures taken.

Order One Of These Books

The Piano Teacher by Janice Lee
Hardcover, published 1/09, $25.95
Set in 1942 and ten years later, The Piano Teacher offers a glimpse into war and its aftermath – especially the fine art of collaboration. The Hong Kong setting is fabulous and offers a rarely glimpsed viewpoint of the beginning of WWII.
Recommended by Laura

Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips
Paperback, published 12/08, $13.99
The Gods – as in Apollo, Aphrodite, Zeus, Hera and the whole family – are living in a rundown flat in London. Being a God is just not what it used to be until two very plain mere mortals come along. Very funny! As an added benefit, I was able to brush up on my mythology – all while laughing out loud.
Recommended by Laura

The Art of Racing in the Rain
Paperback, published 6/09, $14.99
Wonderful, unique perspective! I loved Enzo, the self-educated dog (and car racing aficionado) who narrates this story of love, despair, dignity and joy. Excellent!
Recommended by Karyl

Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
Paperback, published 9/08, $15.00
Such an unusual gem of a book! Keep reading past a few chapters and you will fall in love with these characters. Centered around a Paris apartment building, the book tells the story of Rene, an incredibly well-educated concierge, and Paloma, a brilliant young girl. Both work very hard to hide their true identities until a new tenant moves into the building and helps them drop their disguises.
Recommended by Barbara, Karyl and Laura

The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark
Hardcover, published 12/08, $26.00
Wow – Venice, great food and intrigue. This book has it all! I was captivated from beginning to end and I will never look at a cookbook the same way. If you like reading about Italy and Venice – this is the book for you. If you love food writing – this is perfect. And if you like a good bit of intrigue between your Popes, ruthless nobles and honorable men – look no further!
Recommended by Laura

The Condition by Jennifer Haigh
Paperback, published 7/09, $14.99
I’ve read Jennifer’s previous two novels and I am happy to once again recommend her. The Condition presents excellent characters with a unique story to tell. I found it intelligent and thought provoking as well as humorous. This would make an excellent book group discussion book.
Recommended by Karen

Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch
Paperback, published 4/09, $13.99
An excellent take on the power of friendship and love in its many forms. In this tender debut, a less-than-perfect debutante decamps South Carolina for a life in New York City. There, she tries to make sense of city sophistication and to understand the strange and rarefied world she's left behind. Great characters and a great read!
Recommended by Karen

The Last Dickens by Matthew Pearl
Hardcover, published 3/09, $25.00
I am a huge fan of Matthew Pearl. The Last Dickens has a very clever plot and it truly reads like a Dickens novel! Pearl reopens one of literary history's greatest mysteries in a tale filled with the dazzling twists and turns and includes the unerring period details, and the meticulous research that I so loved in "The Dante Club" and "The Poe Shadow."
Recommended by Karen

The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
Paperback, published 10/08, $14.00
I was intrigued about this book when I heard an interview on NPR. Set in India, this is a creative, touching and, at times, very humorous book. It is gritty, but the main character is amazing and his story is a page turner as well as a clear look into another culture.
Recommended by Karen

Netherland by Joseph O’Neill
Paperback, published 5/09, $14.95
The author of "Blood-Dark Track" delivers a mesmerizing novel about a man trying to make his way in an America of shattered hopes and values, and the unlikely occurrences that pull him back into an authentic, passionately engaged life. Although this has no bearing on the book – I also loved that I was reading it at the same time as the President!
Recommended by Karen

The Wildwater Walking Club by Claire Cook
Hardcover, published 5/09, $24.99
I have read a few books by Claire and enjoyed them all. This book seems especially appropriate as its heroine has just been laid off from her job. While attempting to create a new persona (or get back to her original self) outside of her job, she starts walking. From there she meets a few neighbors, goes on a fantastic trip, finds her calling and maybe even hooks up with Mr. Right. This book is the quintessential summer read!
Recommended by Laura

Something Missing by Matthew Dicks
Paperback, coming 7/14/09, $14.00
In the interest of full disclosure, I’ll tell you that I just met Mr. Dicks and found him funny, wry and clever, realized we went to the same college, and was ready – before turning a page – to like his book. In fact I was a little afraid to read it just in case I didn’t like the book. No worries, mate! I loved his story of the OCD burglar who only takes what his “clients” won’t miss. When he accidentally knocks a toothbrush into the toilet on the job (the horror!) he has to act fast to procure a new, identical brush before his clients arrive home. Working outside of his strict rules, he begins to influence his client’s lives, have unscripted conversations and even gets to play the hero. Once you read this book, you will forever wonder if you just misplaced that extra bottle of detergent, or if you have become someone’s client!
Recommended by Laura