Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip-Confessions of a Cynical Waiter by The Waiter August 2008

Heirloom: Notes from an Accidental Tomato Farmer
by Tim Stak July 2008

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski June 2008

“Joe didn't say much when he recommended this first novel, only that I should read and then understand. For that, I'm grateful. And I hope that if you're reading this, you'll take that advice, too.

Like me, you may be tempted to skip whole paragraphs that seem to contain wordy details or descriptions. Avoid the temptation. Some detail gifts light and magic. But if you really must know:

a.) when wading through middle chapters wondering what's going to happen, expect the ending to overwhelm and surprise, much like meeting a long-lost friend at the airport. Truth be told, I cried. Details and story lines will come rushing at you, and
b.) you'll want to immediately read it again.

The Billionaire's Vinegar by Benjamin Wallace May 2008

“A week ago, if a 1982 Mouton-Rothschild showed up at Trader Joes, I would not have cared. Then, Lafite just sounded like a French word. But, now I'm hell bent on tasting both. Only, my husband won't let me sell the house. If you know nothing about wine, this modern-day forensics mystery compels with historical twists and turns, scientific discovery and lots of high-class scheudenfraud. (Think Vanity Fair Magazine or the New York Times. This is that article that you wish were a book.) For wine lovers, especially those enamored with Thomas Jefferson and his cellar legacies, this is a must. Gossipy, well-researched and consistently engaging, this gem will leave you wanting more. The subject is brilliantly arcane and, for me, considered a secret find ... much like unearthing the most recent People Magazine at the doctor's office. Gift with a really good bottle of wine. Perhaps Yquem?

I'm Bad! by Kate McMullan May 2008

Plenty: Eating Locally on the 100-Mile Diet April 2008
by Alisa Smith

“Note: this is not a diet book, as the title suggests. It's a creative biography, if you will, of an experiment. What would happen, in a year, if you ate only what's local and seasonal within a 100-mile radius? And with that, Plenty begins with whimsy. I enjoyed its leisurely pace. A seemingly perfect read. But, here's the thing: there's a passage that describes tomato picking in a late-season field that's littered with rotting fruit. Surprisingly, though, the sweetest finds are found among pounds of odd-shaped discards. That's how I felt about this gem. And that's why I kept reading. The day-to-day descriptions of the authors' relationship with each other, their families and relationships with the land are what hooked me. There's great writing in sincerity. The authors are honest. Reflective. And funny. Sadly, though, the best passages are buried in a lot of context that I suspect the editors thought were important and necessary ... like a magazine feature gone wrong ... but does it linger and would I recommend it? Absolutely.”

The Food You Crave: Luscious Recipes for a Healthy Life
by Ellie Krieger January 2008

The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan January 2008

“Who knew that breast cancer could be so funny? Corrigan is like a good friend who calls at 8 a.m. to tell you something stupid. Or profound. She's self-deprecating, honest and comforting. Family antics and day-to-day dramas--mostly involving her father, also battling cancer--weave in and out of her own battle with breast cancer. Her reflections are heartbreaking and tender. And painfully private. That's why this a fantastic read. It mirrors--and gives tribute to--the fears, thoughts and craziness that we all try to hide. As Corrigan reminds, either you can either laugh or cry. Either way, humor is certainly the cure. And, as she shows, sometimes it all works out. Even with cancer.”

The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness
by Elyn R. Saks August 2007

The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry: Love, Laughter, and Tears at the World's Most Famous Cooking School
by Kathleen Finn October 2007

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry November 2001

Foreskin's Lament: A Memoir by Shalom Auslander
October 2007

What Is the What by Dave Eggers October 2007

You're looking for a good book. You've read Dave Eggers or you've met him at a signing. You're thinking that you'll eventually pick this one up too. Everyone is talking about it. Besides, the cover is fantastic and it will look great on your shelf, the one that all your dates or babysitters scan. Be prepared, though, this is not a book that deserves a simple glance or casual commitment. It's a brilliantly woven tale, mostly true, of a young Sudanese and his daily struggle to understand his place in wartime Africa ... and in the United States. Before you judge that this is a political tale and you watch enough CNN to know what's going on, consider the first reason why you're curious: you're looking for a good book, maybe one that you won't lend to anyone else because it might not be returned. Here's what's going to happen. First, Valentino's voice will come alive. When you're pretending to laugh with friends at the bar, you'll hear Valentino's voice retell a story about lions that you just read hours before. You'll see what he sees and you'll tire easily, running with him through the desert or riding a bike for the first time. Your heart will break and you'll occasionally feel undeniable urges for hope and love and luck. You'll beg and plead your boyfriend/husband/friend to read it with you. And if you're like me, you'll get late-night emails from others, unsure if you've already read about Tabitha or not. So, if you're looking for something simple and easy, this is not the book for you. If you're looking for something simply brilliant and deeply felt, this is the gift you want”

Babylon's Ark: The Incredible Wartime Rescue of the
Baghdad Zoo
by Lawrence Anthony March 2007