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Staff Picks
Adult Fiction
 From Elizabeth:The World as We Know It by Joseph Monninger
Release Date: October 11, 2011
Brothers Ed and Allard set out on a skating expedition that turns into a near tragedy when they come upon Sarah, who has fallen through the ice. They are able to rescue Sarah and her dog thus beginning a lifelong friendship between the two families. As the years go by this friendship develops into love for Sarah and Allard. Just before their long anticipated wedding a tragedy occurs that changes their lives forever. Monniger's book, Eternal on the Water was one of the most popular Titcomb's Book Club selections and his many fans have been eagerly awaiting his next book. (Paperback $15.00)
From Karen: Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Suspend disbelief, all who enter The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, a fabulously magical novel that removes you from everyday life with its frustrations and sorrows. Enter the tent at midnight for hours of exploration and revelation, you may choose among the many tents to explore in the hours before dawn closes the circus, but you will never see all there is to see, even if you went to this circus every day for the rest of your life.
Within the magic of the circus story, there is the tale of a contest between two opponents, who had no choice to participate, but were bound to compete with the other by their magician mentors... I cannot say more. It is a novel of art and creation, of imagination and love, that transcends time. If I were able to stay within this novel and never reach the end, I am afraid I'd be quite tempted! I only wish there were a circus of this magnitude in actual reality. I should like to visit it very much. As it is, the novel The Night Circus will have to suffice, and it does.
($26.99; our price: $21.59; ebook $12.99)
 From Karen: Nightwoods by Charles Frazier
Author Charles Frazier seems unable to make a literary misstep. In Nightwoods he spins another country yarn of North Carolina mountain life. Luce is a young woman living in a long abandoned mountain lodge as its caretaker. Her quiet life is suddenly interrupted by the arrival of her murdered sister's two children, damaged and mute. Luce is not equipped to handle sudden 'motherhood', especially given the wild children's predilection for setting fires and killing chickens. Just as she feels she may be making a connection with them, two men enter her life, one who may finally succeed in wooing her, the other her sister's murderer and he's out to silence witnesses. I literally could not put this beautifully written novel down until I regretfully reached the final page. ($26.00; our price $20.80; ebooks 12.99)
 From Elisa: Angelina's Bachelors by Brian O'Reilly
Sometimes there is nothing better that a delightfully sweet, heart warming read. That is what Angelina's Bachelors delivers along with mouth watering recipes that make you want to spend a long weekend cooking up a storm. Angelina is a newly widowed young woman who has to find a way to survive, financially and emotionally. She begins cooking for local bachelors in her South Philly neighborhood. I adored every character in this book and found myself wanting to take a trip to Philadelphia to seek them out along with the wonderful local specialized grocers Angelina uses in the book. O'Reilly is a producer for the Food Network and I believe in his first novel he delivered appealing and charming characters along with mouth watering descriptions of the food. (Paperback $15.00; ebook $9.99)  From Rita: The Improper Life of Bezellia by Susan Gregg Gilmore Bezellia Grove is the daughter of a prominent family from Nashville who is growing up in the turbulent 60's. She grew up in an abusive home with an alcoholic mother and a weak father who was not around his family or home. The closeness Bezellia has with the two black servants who work in the household have more influence on her life than her parents. She has an affair with one of the servant's sons which causes problems for both families. The families feared what could happen if their relationship was known. In this time and place society would not tolerate this relationship. I found this a quick and easy read. For those of you who liked the Secret Life of Bees this will be a read for you. (Paperback $14.00; ebook $9.99)  From Vicky: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
I just finished A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness and inspired by Siobhan Dowd with tears streaming down my cheeks! It is the story of a 13 year old boy whose mother is struggling with cancer. It is incredibly powerful, brilliantly written, insightful and sad, but it is also affirming and, at times, even funny. It is about speaking the truth and knowing that as impossibly hard as it can be in times of tragedy, speaking a terrible truth is a way to begin the process of healing. A Monster Calls speaks of the monsters that live inside us as we do our imperfect best to cope - often striking out in anger, thinking horrible thoughts, making mistakes, feeling utterly alone. Though written as a young adult novel, this book would be an excellent choice for adults, too. ($16.99) Adult Nonfiction 
From Karen: Rin Tin Tin The Life and the Legend by Susan Orlean($26.99) If you've never read any of Susan Orlean's fascinating books, this is a good place to start (another 'must read': The Orchid Thief). Rin Tin Tin, of movie and TV fame, was originally a puppy rescued from a French battlefield by an American Soldier, who trained him and became his 'agent', catapulting him to Hollywood stardom, and later television fame. A fascinating look into the relationships Americans have with their dogs, dogs volunteered by owners to go into battle, changes in the entertainment field, as well as the author's personal reason for spending 10 years researching and writing this book.
 From Elizabeth: The Literary Ladies' Guide to the Writing Life by Nava Atlas ($18.95) Using diaries, letters, memoirs and interviews, the author has compiled writing advice from 12 female writers--Louisa May Alcott, Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Willa Cather, Edna Ferber, Madeleine L'Engle, L.M. Montgomery, Anais Nin, George Sand, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Edith Wharton and Virginia Woolf. Itis full of practical advice from this wide variety of women authors. Illustrated with many photographs, letters and drawings, this beautifully designed book is as appealing to the eye as it is to the mind. It is the perfect gift for anyone who aspires to becoming an author.
 From Elisa: Bobby Flay's Bar Americain Cookbook: Celebrate America's Great Flavors by Bobby Flay with Stephanie Banyas and Sally Jackson ($35.00) I've been a long standing fan of Bobby Flay's and yet never bought one of his cookbooks. I was always worried there would be too many ingredients and too many steps. This book proves me wrong. These recipes are only complicated in the way Flay plays on classic American ingredients to create delicous new flavors. His version of shrimp and grits is to die for! I can't wait to try the cauliflower and goat cheese gratin, red snapper Florida style and so many more! Children's Fiction  From Edye: The Flint Heart by Katherine Patterson and John Patterson ($19.99)
Ahh, welcome a true fairy tale that captivates, enchants and teaches! Katherine Paterson (who wrote Bridge to Terabithia among other great titles...) shines with her story of an enchanted charm that grants its possessor tremendous power at the expense of all compassion. This beautiful volume with colored illustrations follows a succession of owners over generations until Young Charles, his sister, Unity, and their brave dog, Ship, set off to a magical land in order to set their world right again. Talking animals, fairies and magic combine for a wonderful read aloud or chapter book for young readers. Put this one on your list of holiday gift ideas!  From Elisa: Every Thing on It by Shel Silverstein ($19.99)
I adore Shel Silverstein's new book Every Thing On It. Each poem and drawing is as delightful as the last. It is one of those books you carry around for a while because you know it will be there to give you a smile. Great to share with all ages in the family and a great excuse to turn off the television and read. Here's a little sample: "Although I cannot see your face, As you flip these poems awhile, Somewhere from some far-off place I hear you laughing-and I smile." What a wonderful treat for the whole family! Children's Picture Book 
From Elizabeth: Kokeshi Kimono Book by Annelore Parot ($17.99) 
From Elisa: The LEGO Ideas Book: Unlock Your Imagination By Daniel Lipkowitz & Sebastiaan Arts with contributions by Tim Goddard, Deborah Higdon, Barney Main and Duncan Titmarsh You have what it takes! Did you ever wonder what you can do with all of those LEGO bricks after you have created the project they came with? Now with The LEGO Ideas Book, you can take what you already have and make something new! The book is divided into six themed chapters--transportation, buildings, space, kingdoms, adventure, and useful makes--each with basic templates of key models and spreads to inspire you to create your own. | 
Knitting Club
