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Staff Picks
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The Seamstress and the Wind the Seamstress and the Wind by Cesar Aira Staff Pick Though most of César Aira's books tend to be slim affairs, they make up with inventiveness for whatever they may lack in length. The prolific Argentine novelist's works are wildly imaginative, and the depth of his creativity seems matched by the ease with which he is able to blend, cross, and move within different genres. The Seamstress and the Wind is the sixth of Aira's books (of more than 80) to be translated into English. The Seamstress and the Wind combines a number of elements that, at first glance, might appear to make for a jumbled, undisciplined, and haphazard work. The brilliance of Aira's writing, however, is that he, like a literary alchemist, transmutes disparate components into something fantastical and rewarding. Mixing the mundane with the phantasmagorical, Aira's novels are richly engaging, for one is never sure upon which point the story is about to veer into the realm of the wholly unforeseen. The word predictable is one that ought never be employed to describe any aspect of Aira's fiction. The magnificent range in his work is no mere clever device, but instead reflects an unfettered imagination that allows for a story to freely evolve. The effect is disarming and seems refreshingly natural (perhaps in contrast to the abundance of forced narratives that abound elsewhere in contemporary literature). Contributing to the overall affluence of his writing are his reliably intriguing characters, seemingly average yet possessed by a charming singularity. The Seamstress and the Wind features characters the likes of which will not soon be forgotten (nor their entrances into the story). César Aira is remarkably gifted, and his ability to seamlessly infuse his work with humor, fantasy, poignant observation, unrestrained style, and invigorating prose is truly amazing. Although each one of his books is entirely unlike its predecessor, they all seem to complement one another in a way that reinforces the prowess of his creativity. The more Aira that I read, the more easily I am convinced that he is one of the most talented, original, and important writers at work today. Though few of his books are even as long as 150 pages, they leave the reader bewitched long after the story has concluded. |
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Handheld Pies: Dozens of Pint-Size Sweets and Savories by Sarah Billingsley Staff Pick Part cookbook, part culinary road trip, part mouthwatering, flaky-crusted, fresh-from-the-oven feast for the eyes, Handheld Pies combines recipes for scrumptious handheld treats with profiles of some of the best small-pie makers in the United States, including Portland's own fried-pie purveyor Whiffies (p. 34). First-time pie makers will appreciate the introductory chapter devoted to equipment, ingredients, and techniques, as well as Billingsley's clear, step-by-step instructions. Seasoned pros looking to expand their repertoire are sure to find something they haven't tried, like Orange Marmalade-Mascarpone Pop Tarts (p. 37) or Vanilla Malt Jar Pie (p. 86). This book makes me want to embark on a tiny Recommended by Tove, Powells.com Your price: $19.95 New - Hardcover 
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The Rabbits' Wedding by Garth Williams Staff Pick Eeee! This book will fill you with an endless supply of the warm fuzzies. And, who knew, but when the title was first published in 1958 it was banned! Adorable bunnies equals controversy? Unfortunately, yes. It was banned because it supposedly encouraged interracial marriage. Sigh. Luckily times have changed (sort of), and The Rabbits' Wedding is back in print! Recommended by Morgan R., Powells.com List Price $17.99 Your price: $12.95 Used - Hardcover
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The Family Dinner: Great Ways to Connect with Your Kids, One Meal at a Time by Laurie David Staff Pick This book is both inspiring and empowering. There are great ideas for making family meals a reality in your home. Menus, recipes, conversation starters, and much more. Besides the how-to aspect, there are stories about family meals past and present from actual people with real, active, and diverse families. This book is for any one who would like help re-connecting with their loved ones. Recommended by Kathy H, Powells.com Your price: $29.99 New - Hardcover
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Zazen by Vanessa Veselka Staff Pick There were several books I liked this year that I expected to like (such as Murakami's 1Q84), but this book came out of nowhere and absolutely floored me. Zazen is a brutally honest story about the heartbreak that follows the failure of idealism. However, don't be put off by that description, as there is an astringent wit at play here and gallows humor on nearly every page, making Zazen the perfect manifesto for these Occupy (insert location) times. Recommended by Gerry, Powells.com Your price: $15.95 New - Trade Paper
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Ready Player One by Ernest Cline Staff Pick Set in the year 2044, Ready Player One tells the story of a Steve Jobs-like character, his death, and the game that's played in a virtual world he created. The winner gains control of his company, and players range from big corporations with money, loner kids, and teams from across the world. It's a fun book filled with characters you love to cheer for and lots of '80s trivia. Recommended by Amy W., Powells.com Your price: $11.99 Google eBooks - Electronic
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Shadowcry (Secrets of Wintercraft #1) by Jenna Burtenshaw Staff Pick One of the last books I read in 2011 turned out to be my favorite! Shadowcry is the first volume in the Wintercraft series by British author Jenna Burtenshaw. In this dystopian world, a town's people live with the constant threat of war. When war does come, young Kate Winter gets pulled into the fray, only to learn that she is one of those known as the "skilled," all of whom possess the power of life over death. I was so taken with this story I had to order a second copy from the U.K. since it had yet to be released in the U.S.! Recommended by Stesha, Powells.com Your price: $16.99 New - Hardcover
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Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick Staff Pick Wonderstruck is a treasure of a book. A master artist and storyteller, Selznick beautifully weaves together the lives of Ben and Rose. Set 50 years apart, their stories, one told in pictures and one in words, each take them on journeys that lead to the Natural History Museum in New York. It is an emotionally moving story that was a joy to read. Recommended by Jen M., Powells.com Your price: $29.99 New - Hardcover
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Junkyard Dogs (Walt Longmire Mysteries) by Craig Johnson Staff Pick Gripping, gritty, and hilarious, Junkyard Dogs is the sixth in the Walt Longmire series, but you can dive in and thoroughly enjoy it without reading the previous books. Though once you've read one Craig Johnson novel, you'll feel the need to read all of them. A fellow Johnson addict pointed out that his writing is similar in flavor to Richard Russo's, another master of character. I have to agree that if Walt Longmire ever met Hank Devereaux from Russo's Straight Man, they'd probably be the best of friends. Recommended by Robin, Powells.com List Price $14.00 Your price: $7.98 Sale - Trade Paper
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Ready Player One by Ernest Cline Staff Pick I had a hard time choosing a number one pick for my Top 5s of 2011, but this book won out because it was fun and nostalgic and possibly the most joyfully entertaining book I read all year. A quest story set mostly in a virtual world, it's a geeky celebration of all things '80s — a decade when video arcades and John Hughes movies reigned supreme. Is it the best book I read? Probably not. Is it the book that made me happiest while I was reading it and that I most want to force on friends and strangers alike? Absolutely. Recommended by Billie Bloebaum, Powells.com Your price: $11.99 Google eBooks - Electronic
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Rebel Youth by Karlheinz Weinberger Staff Pick This is a book of photos from the 1950s and '60s of Swiss juvenile delinquents sporting their interpretation of American culture. The large, handmade belt buckles featuring Elvis and Brando, the chain and rope-stitched fly denim jeans, fur vests, and DIY jewelry all transcend fashion and expose a style that's still being ripped-off today. Proof that fashion is for people with no style of their own who appropriate it from the so-called lower class. Criminal. Recommended by Dennis, Powells.com Your price: $45.00 New - Hardcover
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The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan Publisher Comments At the end of World War II, nearly three million Jews were trapped inside the Soviet Union. They lived a paradoxunwanted by a repressive Stalinist state, yet forbidden to leave. When They Come for Us, Well Be Gone is the astonishing and inspiring story... (read more) List Price $14.95 Your price: $7.98 Sale - Trade Paper
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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter #07) by J. K. Rowling Staff Pick I couldn't imagine a better ending for this extraordinary series. J. K. Rowling, thank you for staying true to your vision.... (read more) List Price $34.99 Your price: $7.95 Used - Hardcover
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Divorcer by Gary Lutz Staff Pick A breathtaking suite of sentence-driven stories that are as refreshingly funny as they are emotionally eviscerating. Linked by themes of broken relationships and mistrustful lovers, Lutz's newest stories are full of descriptions and observations so bitter and dark that they're hilariously charred. Recommended by Kevin Sampsell, Powells.com Your price: $13.00 New - Trade Paper
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The Pale King by David Foster Wallace Staff Pick If I told you this book consists of 500+ pages detailing the inner workings of the massive bureaucracy that is the Internal Revenue Service as well as the interior lives of the people who work there, you'd probably tell me it sounds like a great way to cure insomnia. But Wallace successfully invests his characters and their surroundings with an almost mystical air, suggesting that what lies on the other side of utter dullness is brilliant transcendence — a point that is driven home when you reach the end of the book and realize you don't want to stop reading. Recommended by Nathan W., Powells.com Your price: $14.99 Google eBooks - Electronic
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The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt Staff Pick This entertaining and heartbreaking story is told by a fabulous narrator, Eli Sisters. Eli and his brother Charlie are hired killers in late 19th-century Oregon and California, and this is the tale of their final job. Recommended by Doug C., Powells.com List Price $14.99 Your price: $10.49 Sale - Trade Paper
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BestsellersWednesday,February 15, 2012 |
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