| 1. | 'The Great World': Setting, history and characters in fine balance
Colum McCann's novel opens with a stunning five-page set piece about a tightrope performance that was called "the artistic crime of the 20th century." |
| | USA Today ~ Wednesday, 1st July, 2009 | Subscribe to USA Today • |
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| 2. | Slow-starting 'Marriage Bureau' weds love story, Indian culture
Jai ho! The Marriage Bureau for Rich People, the first novel by Indian-born, London-based investment banker Farahad Zama, doesn't offer the richness of Slumdog Millionaire, but it's a sweet tale of love nonetheless. |
| | USA Today ~ Monday, 29th June, 2009 | Subscribe to USA Today • |
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| 3. | In 'Brooklyn,' the life of an Irish immigrant takes root
Colm Toibin's Brooklyn, about a young Irish woman coming to New York in 1952, is one of those magically quiet novels that sneak up on readers and capture their imaginations. |
| | USA Today ~ Monday, 29th June, 2009 | Subscribe to USA Today • |
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| 4. | Local book events for the week of June 28
book events for the week of June 28 |
| | Houston Chronicle ~ Sunday, 28th June, 2009 | Subscribe to Houston Chronicle • |
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| 5. | In the Valley of the Kings by Daniel Meyerson
Daniel Meyerson places the discovery of King Tut's tomb in the context of biography, archaeology, Egyptology and mythology |
| | Houston Chronicle ~ Sunday, 28th June, 2009 | Subscribe to Houston Chronicle • |
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| 6. | The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
This young Nigerian writer proves herself worthy of the challenge of packing a full world into a few paragraphs, building a rich, Nigeria-centric universe in both broad and subtle strokes. |
| | Houston Chronicle ~ Sunday, 28th June, 2009 | Subscribe to Houston Chronicle • |
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| 7. | Sprout by Dale Peck
A poignant novel about coming out and coming of age. |
| | Houston Chronicle ~ Sunday, 28th June, 2009 | Subscribe to Houston Chronicle • |
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| 8. |
Greg Grandin tells how worries about a British-led rubber cartel persuaded Henry Ford to pour millions of dollars into a Brazilian rubber tree farm that never produced. |
| | Houston Chronicle ~ Sunday, 28th June, 2009 | Subscribe to Houston Chronicle • |
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| 9. | Gloria Vanderbilt spins a filthy-rich fable in 'Obsession'
Leave it to the famous socialite to design a sensual novel for the material girl, full of exotic locales and lavish love games. |
| | USA Today ~ Wednesday, 24th June, 2009 | Subscribe to USA Today • |
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| 10. | 'Sunnyside': Charlie Chaplin, a little overdone
The world revolves around Charlie Chaplin in Glen David Gold's historical novel Sunnyside, a work reminiscent of E.L. Doctorow's Ragtime and, at times, an E! True Hollywood Story. |
| | USA Today ~ Wednesday, 24th June, 2009 | Subscribe to USA Today • |
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| 11. | Books roundup: International voices
New to shelves are a young woman's eye-opening journey out of Mexico, a compelling portrait of India, soul-searching tales out of Nigeria, and a coming-of-age story set in Pakistan. |
| | USA Today ~ Wednesday, 24th June, 2009 | Subscribe to USA Today • |
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| 12. | Book events for the week of June 21
events for the week of June 21 |
| | Houston Chronicle ~ Sunday, 21st June, 2009 | Subscribe to Houston Chronicle • |
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| 13. | Lauren Conrad's L.A. Candy aimed at teen girls
n Conrad's L.A. Candy aimed at teen girls |
| | Houston Chronicle ~ Sunday, 21st June, 2009 | Subscribe to Houston Chronicle • |
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| 14. | Death Wore White by Jim Kelly
In Death Wore White, Jim Kelly's characters flare with just enough lively desperation to keep the story's tension well fueled. |
| | Houston Chronicle ~ Sunday, 21st June, 2009 | Subscribe to Houston Chronicle • |
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| 15. | Strokes of Genius by L. Jon Wertheim
Classic tennis match between Roger Federer and Raphael Nadal at the 2008 Wimbeldon men's singles finals is retold with vivid details. |
| | Houston Chronicle ~ Sunday, 21st June, 2009 | Subscribe to Houston Chronicle • |
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| 16. | Just Like Family by Tasha Blaine
Book sifts through the dynamic between nannies and their employers |
| | Houston Chronicle ~ Sunday, 21st June, 2009 | Subscribe to Houston Chronicle • |
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| 17. | Chicle by Jennifer P. Mathews
An in-depth history of chewing gum and the people behind it. |
| | Houston Chronicle ~ Sunday, 21st June, 2009 | Subscribe to Houston Chronicle • |
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| 18. | Book Roundup: Food/travel
Eat your way around the world with this collection of fun summer reads |
| | USA Today ~ Wednesday, 17th June, 2009 | Subscribe to USA Today • |
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| 19. | 'American Passage': It's Ellis Island's history, and ours, too
Over the years Ellis Island has grown to 27 acres from its original three, yet it still remains a mere dot in New York Harbor. Its small size, however, belies the huge role it has played in American history. |
| | USA Today ~ Monday, 15th June, 2009 | Subscribe to USA Today • |
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| 20. | Carlos Ruiz Zafon writes like an angel in 'The Angel's Game'
Spanish novelist Carlos Ruiz Zafon's darkly fantastical The Shadow of the Wind has sold more than 12 million copies in 50 countries. Its follow-up, The Angel's Game, a prequel of sorts, is as much a literary marvel as its predecessor. |
| | USA Today ~ Monday, 15th June, 2009 | Subscribe to USA Today • |
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| 21. | Julianne Moore finding success as author
nne Moore finding success as author |
| | Houston Chronicle ~ Sunday, 14th June, 2009 | Subscribe to Houston Chronicle • |
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| 22. | Hot books available for smart summer reading
ooks available for smart summer reading |
| | Houston Chronicle ~ Saturday, 13th June, 2009 | Subscribe to Houston Chronicle • |
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| 23. | 'The Physick Book' delivers a spooky historical story
Katherine Howe's The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane is a witch story that will leave you spellbound. |
| | USA Today ~ Wednesday, 10th June, 2009 | Subscribe to USA Today • |
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| 24. | Book roundup: Memoirs
Life can take a person to some very odd places: A check kiter finds himself in a Louisiana prison that houses a leper colony, and a gay man finds himself in a countrified comedy of errors. |
| | USA Today ~ Wednesday, 10th June, 2009 | Subscribe to USA Today • |
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| 25. | Lisa See follows brave passage in 'Shanghai Girls'
Pearl and May Chin are "Beautiful Girls," models in 1930s Shanghai whose images grace calendars and ads and who party with the young and restless in the Paris of Asia. |
| | USA Today ~ Wednesday, 10th June, 2009 | Subscribe to USA Today • |
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