Books we love. Welcome to our staff recommendation section! Great new books arrive daily, it seems. We will update our web site shelves fairly often, and for all of the newest recommendations be sure to check our staff shelves at the shop and, as usual, all of the tags in all of the different sections throughout the store – we love sharing our favorites with you!

While we continue to gather reviews – and attempt to keep up with our reading – let us hear from you!
What are you reading and loving? Email us with a brief review and we will let everyone know about the great books you are discovering. We'd love to hear from the kids too!

For books that we have previously featured on our recommended shelves, check out our books archive page.

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Staff recommendations.
 

	MK's shelf.
The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch When 13-year-old Miles O'Malley finds a strange sea creature at low tide he finds himself catapulted to celebrity status. A terrific coming-of-age story set on Puget Sound, this is one of those first novels that keeps me excited about bookselling!		The History of Love by Nicole Krauss One of the narrators of this book is Leo Gursky. You won't soon forget his voice. He survived the Holocaust by being invisible and spends the rest of his life trying to be noticed. Great story about a love lost and rediscovered.	Blackstock's Collections by Gregory L. Blackstock Blackstock is an artistic savant who lives in Seattle. His fascinating pictorial lists are drawn from memory -- everything from 16 types of hoe to the 20 varieties of crow shown on the cover. He is a very interesting pot washer, accordion player and outsider artist.

	Susan's shelf.
City of Shadows by Ariana Franklin Good thriller and a new twist to the Anastasia myth. Keeps you reading.		Ordinary Wolves by Seth Kantner Not your ordinary coming of age book. It covers cultural differences and value systems. This is raw and powerful.	Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo This is classic Russo. Small-town life, family ties, and characters that we know in real life. With this story, he is also expanding into the world with all the contradictions, humor and pathos that infuse all his stories. He just gets better and better.

 

	Elaine's shelf.
Jewels by Victoria Finlay Who decided what jewels were/are? Where did/do they come from? Who decides which ones are more valuable than others? and why? Did you know jet was a jewel? (Sapphires are still my favorite!) From the same author, Color looks into the origin of, well, color! Fascinating!		Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill Fantastic first novel! An aging rock star gets more than he bargains for from an online auction. He gets help dealing with all sorts of ghosts for his current groupie and his dogs (Angus and Bon!) Did not want this one to end!	Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore The subtitle alone makes it worth the read! Funny, irreverent, sweet. Why did it take me so long to read Christopher Moore?

	Juliet's shelf.
The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz Months after reading this story of the 300-pound tragic adolescent sci-fi nerd that is Oscar Wao, his voice is still with me. This is a perfectly narrated tale of isolation, identity, and a national curse.		Bel Canto by Ann Patchett I stole this favorite from a previous employee and I'm sure that more will steal it from me. Taking place during an international hostage situation in South America, this story revolves around a translator trying to find his own words. This powerfully written book speaks of the importance of voice.

	Michelle's shelf.
Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv Did you grow up being able to play in fields or forests, out until dark? And feel safe? This book laments those days and offers hope and ideas for our children's and environment's future. Please read this!		Armageddon in Retrospect by Kurt Vonnegut Classic Vonnegut with a humble introduction by his son, these stories are flavored by his time spent in Germany during WWII. Synonymous with our time - they show the "vagaries" of war.	Prodigal Summer: A Novel by Barbara Kingsolver Favorite of her novels!

	Teresa's shelf.
		waiting for cover permissions.
Notes From a Small Island by Bill Bryson One of my favorite authors! I laughed so loudly reading this one on a plane - several people wanted a copy!   Jamberry by Bruce Degen A silly, fun rhyming frolic!   Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown A classic addition to a child's bedtime routine. (You'll have it memorized in no time!)		West With the Night by Beryl Markham A "bloody wonderful book" said Ernest Hemingway. Growing up, racing horses in Africa, flying planes, setting cross-Atlantic records. What more?!   Barnyard Dance! by Sandra Boynton Another fun romp with Boynton characters. Fun for dancing, reading and general silliness waiting for cover permissions.   Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox The adventure begins with the question, "What is a memory?" as Wilfrid explores the delightful characters next door. Beautifully illustrated. Great for teachers!	Kiss Good Night by Amy Hest This book gives you a wonderful excuse for some extra kisses on your way to bed. Hooray! KISS GOOD NIGHT. Text © 2001 Amy Hest. Illustrations © 2001 Anita Jeram. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Somerville, MA.     The Eye Book by Dr. Seuss One of my favorite board books. A lovely early poetry, playing-with-words adventure.   Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathman Even before a child can talk, this will be one of their favorite books. No words necessary to enjoy this fun.

	Tom's shelf.
Labyrinth by Kate Mosse If you liked the Da Vinci Code, you'll enjoy this thriller set in modern day and medieval France.		Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil by Deborah Rodriguez Fascinating look at empowering women in post-Taliban Afghanistan.

 

	Shirley's shelf.
Map of Glass by Jane Urquhart A memorable, beautifully written story of haunted personal histories, love, loss, changing places, and ways of seeing. A tour de force. Buy it as a gift -- and read it carefully first! In paperback May 2007!		The Golden Spruce by John Vaillant Truly truth is often stranger than fiction -- and just as interesting. A fascinating look at logging, greedy timber barons, an amazing tree and all the events surrounding it. Also a slightly crazed timber guy turned naturalist -- great! [Also our book group book for November 2006 -- see what else we're reading: Book club page.]	Messenger of Truth: A Maisie Dobbs Novel by Jacqueline Winspear The fourth in the series and the best one yet! If you haven't read the other Maisie Dobbs novels, you will want to after this one! London 1930 - artists, murder - all the great stuff!

	Emma's shelf.
		waiting for cover  permissions.
Restless by William Boyd This story, of an old woman finally revealing her past to her grown daughter is so gripping, I found myself worrying about her safety all day after leaving her in a particularly perilous situation.		Nimrod Flipout by Etgar Keret Funny and sad stories told in a casual, straightforward voice, none of which end in the way you think they will.

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