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The Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death: Reflections on Revenge, Germophobia, and Laser Hair Removal by Laurie Notaro
Selected by Gretchen from East Hartford, Connecticut
Gretchen won a Powells.com gift certificate worth $20.
"Notaro is Erma Bombeck for the 21st century. If you've never read her books, the great news is that when you finish this one, you won't have to suffer withdrawal as there are a bunch more of her books out there." (read more)
July 02
42 by M. Thomas Cooper
Selected by Timothy from Portland, Oregon
Timothy won a Powells.com gift certificate worth $20.
Timothy's Comments:
"[The] intelligent...prose makes for an easy and interesting read. Questioning your trust of the character at the helm of narration adds to the wealth of the read as well." (read more)
July 03
Atmospheric Disturbances by Rivka Galchen
Selected by John from Berwick, Pennsylvania
John won a Powells.com gift certificate worth $20.
John's Comments:
"Tremendously fun for a novel of ideas; will appeal to fans of DeLillo, Pynchon, Barthelme and other po-mo mindbenders." (read more)
July 04
The Outlander by Gil Adamson
Selected by Michael from West Linn, Oregon
Michael won a Powells.com gift certificate worth $20.
Michael's Comments:
"Remarkable as a first novel....Set in the vastness of central Canada at the turn of the 1900's the geography takes a central role in this tale of the adventure of young Mary Boulton evading two men who are tracking her across this wilderness....It's the sort of book that causes me to want to read it quickly to learn what happens next while the writing has me savoring the phrases and descriptions." (read more)
July 05
The Year of Disappearances by Susan Hubbard
Selected by Lisa from Portland, Oregon
Lisa's Comments:
"[A] great book for anyone who likes an intelligent vampire novel." (read more)
July 06
Superfolks by Robert Mayer
Selected by John from Spokane Valley, Washington
John won a Powells.com gift certificate worth $40.
John's Comments:
"As a young man I picked up a copy of 'Superfolks' at a lonely rundown fleamarket in Tampa FL....That same year Alan Moore released 'The Watchmen' and the Dark Knight was born. But before I found those treasures a year later at my local comic shop, I read 'Superfolks'....Robert Mayer, where ever you are, thank you. I just read your book for the 15th time...you are a genius." (read more)
July 07
Fear Itself by Jonathan Nasaw
Selected by Julie from Terry, Mississippi
Julie won a Powells.com gift certificate worth $20.
Julie's Comments:
"Disturbingly riveting. An amazing insight into the mind of a psychopath. I don't normally read violent books, but Nasaw's ability to 'fade to black' kept me turning pages and looking for more of his works." (read more)
July 08
The Unlikely Lavender Queen: A Memoir of Unexpected Blossoming by Jeannie Ralston
Selected by Cindy from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Cindy won a Powells.com gift certificate worth $20.
Cindy's Comments:
"Ralston tells the engaging tale of how she went from living in Manhattan to the small town of Blanco, Texas. A wonderful book!" (read more)
July 09
Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates by Tom Robbins
Selected by Kris from Jonesboro, Arkansas
Kris won a Powells.com gift certificate worth $20.
Kris's Comments:
"If you haven't read Tom Robbins, you need to buy this book right now. I've read just about every book by him, and this is still my favorite....He writes morals without being preachy, he writes sensuality without being dirty, and he writes some of the best fiction in the world that will never go out of style." (read more)
July 10
Dream Worlds: Production Design for Animation by Hans Bacher
Selected by Adam from Laval, Quebec, Canada
Adam won a Powells.com gift certificate worth $20.
Adam's Comments:
"As an animator, this book has been a great use of inspiration. It is filled with tons of beautiful illustrations from some of the greatest animated works." (read more)
July 11
Finding Nouf by Zoe Ferraris
Selected by Katherine from Durham, North Carolina
Katherine won a Powells.com gift certificate worth $20.
Katherine's Comments:
"One of the most interesting books I've read in quite awhile. A good story is one of the best ways to learn about other cultures and this one is a winner for that." (read more)
July 12
Helix by Eric Brown
Selected by John from Sylmar, California
John won a Powells.com gift certificate worth $20.
John's Comments:
"This was my first introduction to English author Eric Brown and I'm hooked forever....This novel is fast-paced, the characters believable, and the locale exotic." (read more)
July 13
The List of 7 by Mark Frost
Selected by Carol from Fresno, California
Carol won a Powells.com gift certificate worth $20.
Carol's Comments:
"I actually had to get rid of this book because it was giving me nightmares...it really was that terrifying." (read more)
July 14
Celine Dion: Let's Talk about Love (33 1/3 Series) by Carl Wilson
Selected by Emily from Austin, Texas
Emily's Comments:
"[T]his little tome...explores...what exactly is 'taste' and the implications that taste has for art." (read more)
July 15
Big Brain: The Origins and Future of Human Intelligence by Gary Lynch and Richard Granger
Selected by Taylor from Portland, Oregon
Taylor's Comments:
"In 'Big Brain,' two neuroscientists offer up an intriguing argument about the size of brains and how that size corresponds to evolutionary advancements....The book is an interesting read and does provide some solid information for people who are just learning about neuroscience." (read more)
July 16
Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
Selected by Anne from San Francisco, California
Anne won a Powells.com gift certificate worth $60.
Anne's Comments:
"Anyone who is passionate about books will love this collection of essays. She shares the pleasures of reading as well as the issues of book management many of us face like shelving and organizing principles....This is the most delightful collection I've read in a long time." (read more)
July 17
When the Heart Waits: Spiritual Direction for Life's Sacred Questions (Plus) by Sue Monk Kidd
Selected by Linda from Clemson, South Carolina
Linda won a Powells.com gift certificate worth $20.
Linda's Comments:
"Sue Monk Kidd writes about her midlife spiritual crisis when everything around her had lost its meaning. She found that there was no easy or quick fix; she needed to engage in contemplative waiting. She compares this process to the life span of a butterfly -- how it must first spend time in its cocoon before emerging as a beautiful butterfly....Reading this book gave me the strength move forward." (read more)
July 18
The Tin Roof Blowdown (Dave Robicheaux Mysteries) by James Lee Burke
Selected by Carrita from Juneau, Alaska
Carrita's Comments:
"This is an excellent book and one that got me started on other James Lee Burke novels -- he is an excellent writer and grips the reader right from the beginning." (read more)
July 19
A Terrible Glory: Custer and the Little Bighorn -- The Last Great Battle of the American West by James Donovan
Selected by Sean from Burbank, California
Sean won a Powells.com gift certificate worth $40.
Sean's Comments:
"[T]this book gives a fair and balanced history of Custer's service in the military including the Civil War and the influence he had on fighting the Sioux and other tribes....Donovan's footnotes alone tell background stories that add richly to his main story and I would recommend this book to anyone interested in American History and great storytelling!" (read more)
July 20
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
Selected by Ye Jung from Leonia, New Jersey
Ye Jung's Comments:
"This book was fabulous not only for having a new and creative plot but also for the heroine, who is smart enough to analyze the sillier rules of society and brave enough to break them....Frankie is my new favorite character and her story is one that inspires me to bend the rules...just a little." (read more)
July 21
Darwinia by Robert Charles Wilson
Selected by Bronwen from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Bronwen won a Powells.com gift certificate worth $40.
Bronwen's Comments:
"'Darwinia' is a book of the 20th century, if the 20th century had been interrupted in 1912 by an event which transformed Europe overnight to a continent filled with an entirely different (and frightening) ecology. The protagonist is one of the few people who has a link to the 'other' 20th century, and finds he has a role in preserving the integrity of the universe." (read more)
July 22
Jessica Z. by Shawn Klomparens
Selected by Candice-Leigh from Thousand Oaks, California
Candice-Leigh won a Powells.com gift certificate worth $20.
Candice-Leigh's Comments:
"Art and eroticism against a taut background of fear and uncertainty....Klomparens gives us a tightly constructed plot full of great dialogue and incisive wit." (read more)
July 23
Killer Year: Stories to Die For...from the Hottest New Crime Writers by Lee Child
Selected by Fred from Vicksburg, Mississippi
Fred won a Powells.com gift certificate worth $20.
Fred's Comments:
"[A] good introduction to some interesting writers. I liked three of the stories well enough to order copies of novels by the authors....There is also a short essay by M. J. Rose about the difficulties of a new author getting established." (read more)
July 24
A Death in the Family by James Agee
Selected by Denise from Mason, Ohio
Denise won a Powells.com gift certificate worth $20.
Denise's Comments:
"Wow, what a beautiful book....James Agee must have been a treat to know because I don't think you could write something this heartfelt without being a kind and gentle soul." (read more)
July 25
Real World by Natsuo Kirino
Selected by Robin from Los Angeles, California
Robin's Comments:
"Another excellent book! Some people said it was depressing, but I think they're missing the point." (read more)
