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Matt's Staff Favorites
I read widely. While I rarely read straight through a work of nonfiction, I search ceaselessly through many so that I can get at the heart of things, but I also love the unlikely details. Works of fiction, on the other hand, are books that I start and finish. I don't read quickly, so I don't continue any books that lose their appeal, if only for a few pages.
$24.99
ISBN: 9781786271617
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Laurence King Publishing - May 29th, 2018
Did you know that the world's heaviest known organism is a stand of Quaking Aspen that has been sending up new trunks for 80,000 years? Or that the wood of choice for rifle stocks in the nineteenth century US spawned the phrase "shouldering walnut" for military service? Or that goats enjoy climbing and eating from Argan trees in Morocco? Or that the cashew tree's cousin is poison ivy? Drawing from his connection to London's Kew Gardens and experience as a producer of science documentaries, and teaming with illustrator Lucille Clerc, Drori brings us a lovely book in which we can savor a page or two at a time about the wonder of some of the world's many fascinating trees. Moving through eleven regions of the world, these brief portraits capture all sorts of historical, botanical, cultural and quirky notes. And, if you read my favorite novel of the year, Richard Powers's The Overstory, this book makes an excellent companion.
$17.00
ISBN: 9781101970348
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Vintage - May 2nd, 2017
Rarely have I read a book which immersed me so convincingly in so many different people's lives. Part of the convincing-ness has to do with the details--often unlikely--which paint each scene. It begins with a seemingly-random attack on a political candidate and continues with an uninspired college professor who distracts himself by playing an immersive video game. The novel examines the tenuous connection between these two events. From there, the story opens up widely into an inter-generational saga that delves into particular periods of recent American history. I loved this book and I was sad to say goodbye when I finished the last page.
$15.99
ISBN: 9780316261258
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Mulholland Books - July 18th, 2017
The setting is present day America with a twist: slavery is still practiced in four states in the south. Victor, who is black, works--for reasons we discover--for the U.S. Marshalls tracking down escaped slaves. He's extremely good at the job, even as the intricacies of the situation create dissonances in him. This is a thriller, with literary flavors, set atop social commentary with resonance and reference to Invisible Man, which I read directly after finishing this fine novel.
$15.99
ISBN: 9780316277815
Availability: Special Order - Usually 1-5 Days
Published: Back Bay Books - October 4th, 2016
Infectious Madness is an exploration of an emerging area of medical inquiry: the connections between pathogens and mental illness. We've known that some cases of schizophrenia are connected to toxoplasma gondii, which is why pregnant women are told to not scoop cat litter. We're starting to learn of some connections between strep throat and ADHD and OCD. And we've been exploring the connections between what happens in our intestines (where more neurons reside than in our heads) and what happens in our brains. With several relevant detours to explore elements of science culture such as paradigm shifts and metaphors, this book is rich with fascinating information.
$16.00
ISBN: 9780802124944
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Grove Press - April 12th, 2016
Our narrator is aid to a South Vietnamese general in the spring of 1975. U.S. troops are evacuating, and South Vietnamese troops and civilians are scrambling to figure out what to do next. However, our narrator is also a spy for communist Vietnam. But this spy is "a man of two minds," able to sympathize with both his boss and his real superiors. The world we see through his eyes is both tragic and comic. The writing is rich with unusual descriptions ("prickly rolls of barbed wire sagged with middle-aged disappointment") of the sights and sounds and smells of end-of-war Saigon and post-war Los Angeles.
$16.00
ISBN: 9780770436421
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Hogarth - February 4th, 2014
Amazing on several levels. I particularly enjoyed the Run Lola Run moments.. --Matt
$16.99
ISBN: 9780060885618
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Ecco - November 27th, 2012
The finest sort of satire, with both biting humor and uncynical sweetness, often on the same page. -Matt
$17.00
ISBN: 9781501173219
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Scribner - April 4th, 2017
$13.95
ISBN: 9781849821650
Availability: Special Order - Usually 1-5 Days
Published: MP Publishing - August 14th, 2012
Yuvi's life is an open book. He is smart and neurotic and witty and has lots of baggage and a lovely memory and fascinating parents and an ailing brother-in-law and a wife who tolerates his eccentricities. And his editor is hounding him for a novel which he can't seem to get off the ground. Welcome to the headspace of Yuvi as he grants us an intimate peek into his unique problematic self. I can't wait until Yuvi Zalkow comes to the bookstore to do a reading and I can ask him more about the Yuvi in his book.
$17.00
ISBN: 9780385333504
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Dial Press Trade Paperback - September 8th, 1998
Nice twists and turns here. Inventive stories. Sometimes funny, usually provocative. --Matt
$21.50
ISBN: 9780743236720
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Scribner - October 1st, 2013
Solomon goes deep. In Far from the Tree he pursues understanding of how we conceptualize and perceive differences--particularly those labeled disabilities--between us. Then he gives us ten examples complete with fascinating stories of individuals who suffer and/or celebrate illness/identity. As with Noonday Demon, the prodigious research Solomon has done is supplemented sweetly by his own life; the bookmarks on these ten case studies are Solomon's own experience as a son and as a father. No reader will leave this book without having learned a ton.
$15.99
ISBN: 9780061146619
Availability: Special Order - Usually 1-5 Days
Published: HarperOne - March 13th, 2007
This is a collection of sermons given by this powerful writer over a lifetime of incisive reflection and powerful feeling. Great for people within a religious tradition and also great for those who are not. His memoirs beginning with The Sacred Journey and continuing with Now & Then (the first book I purchased at Annie Bloom's...20 years ago!)and Telling Secrets were life-giving to me as I struggled with my inherited faith. --Matt
$18.00
ISBN: 9780767908184
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Broadway Books - September 14th, 2004
A speedy romp from the big bang until yesterday. With his usual story-telling charm, and as the learner and teacher he is, Bryson teaches us much about natural history. --Matt
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ISBN: 9780980243673
Availability: Not Available
Published: Tin House Books - May 26th, 2009
I fell in love with Jim Krusoe's writing with Iceland, a quirky but compelling and occasionally charming story. Erased is even weirder, but possibly even more magical. Try imagining Cleveland the way he does, and your brain might hurt nicely for a while. --Matt
$17.00
ISBN: 9780375709227
Availability: Special Order - Usually 1-5 Days
Published: Vintage - January 9th, 2001
A nicely written and accessible introduction to a bit of brain physiology as well as recognition of the power of our limbic brains both inside us and between us. --Matt
$18.00
ISBN: 9780375760396
Availability: Special Order - Usually 1-5 Days
Published: Random House Trade Paperbacks - May 28th, 2002
What a great exploration of history and natural history and folklore and biology and philosophy, all thru four plants: apple, tulip, marijuana, and potato. --Matt
$14.00
ISBN: 9780977639540
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: American Poetry Review - September 1st, 2008
We are lucky to live in the same town as Matthew Dickman. Talented poet and reader. Funny and insightful and sometimes tangenting strangely. I loved most of these poems. --Matt
$16.00
ISBN: 9780452295292
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Penguin Books - March 31st, 2009
I loved the combination of sweetness and grimness and humor. A fast-moving story with great characters. --Matt
$24.95
ISBN: 9781931498555
Availability: Special Order - Usually 1-5 Days
Published: Chelsea Green Publishing Company - March 1st, 2004
This is the first of a trilogy. Quite powerful and a bit too much for some of my friends. But wow it worked for me. --Matt
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ISBN: 9780553378498
Availability: Backordered, call for information
Published: Dial Press Trade Paperback - June 1st, 1996
I read The River Why at a perfect point in my life. So, I was primed for this next novel of Duncan's. A great epic quality to these diverse and wonderful characters. And very funny too. --Matt
$16.00
ISBN: 9781556592676
Availability: Special Order - Usually 1-5 Days
Published: Copper Canyon Press - September 1st, 2007
Such evocative poetry. --Matt
$14.95
ISBN: 9781564783141
Availability: Special Order - Usually 1-5 Days
Published: Dalkey Archive Press - June 1st, 2002
Among my favorite "quirky" books. --Matt
$16.95
ISBN: 9781578050833
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Counterpoint LLC - August 1st, 2002
These essays/memoir/story range widely, but fit beautifully together. --Matt
$17.99
ISBN: 9780062204097
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: William Morrow Paperbacks - April 3rd, 2012
Though I read this book years ago, it's one I think about on occasion as one of my all-time favorites. --Matt
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ISBN: 9780767902892
Availability: Not Available
Published: Broadway - December 29th, 1998
What a fantastic writer, and what a fantastic book. There are enuf mediocre books about American's experience in Vietnam, this is not one of those. Such insight and depth and "beauty" of writing. This is well worth the time. --Matt
$17.00
ISBN: 9780812979657
Availability: Special Order - Usually 1-5 Days
Published: Random House Trade Paperbacks - December 16th, 2008
I wish she would write more fiction, because this was beautiful and heart-breaking and strange, in such a finely-crafted way that I had to start it four times before I got into it... --Matt
$17.00
ISBN: 9781582346298
Availability: Special Order - Usually 1-5 Days
Published: Bloomsbury USA - April 4th, 2006
I'm a sucker for coming-of-age novels and this is one of my favorite. Wonder at the natural world, marine biology, Rachel Carson, family and friend drama, media, a cult and more. Miles is one of my favorite literary characters. --Matt
$10.99
ISBN: 9780312674397
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Square Fish - May 10th, 2011
This is a standard-bearer for quality teen fiction. This 10th anniversary edition attests to that. The voice true and distinct. An excellent read for teens and adults alike. --Matt
$15.95
ISBN: 9780684717258
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Free Press - February 1st, 1971
This has been a steady companion to me for several years. Poetic, mystical, some deep stuff in here. --Matt
$15.95
ISBN: 9780679724360
Availability: Special Order - Usually 1-5 Days
Published: Vintage - August 11th, 1990
A wonderful coming-of-age story by an aware and reflective author. --Matt
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ISBN: 9781592641505
Availability: Not Available
Published: Toby Press - September 1st, 2009
This was my first Donald Harington novel. Since then, I've read three others and plan to read the other dozen. Funny, unpredictable storytelling, zany and clever narration...all of his books are set near the Ozark town of Stay More where the inhabitants are called Stay Morons. I don't know how to sell this book, but I loved it and I've got a lot of friends who loved it too. --Matt
$7.99
ISBN: 9780547404936
Availability: Special Order - Usually 1-5 Days
Published: HMH Books for Young Readers - October 4th, 2010
What fun. And what a fun window into Blake's life. Written by a Portlander, and with a distinct voice of a teen being forced to grow up quickly, and with plenty of fun and funniness; this book is well worth the read. --Matt
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ISBN: 9780763622596
Availability: Out of Print - Not Available
Published: Candlewick - February 23rd, 2004
Set in a bizarre future with similarities to our own time, Feed forces us to ask good questions about how we live. And it has one of my favorite opening sentences. "We went to the moon to have fun, but the moon turned out to completely suck." --Matt
$15.00
ISBN: 9780802141170
Availability: Special Order - Usually 1-5 Days
Published: Grove Press - March 17th, 2004
Alexie's knack for juxtaposing the ugly and the beautiful, or the raw and the refined, or the gritty and the triumphant is amazing. These nine (haha) stories travel some pretty fascinating territory. --Matt
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ISBN: 9781571310477
Availability: Out of Print - Not Available
Published: Milkweed Editions - August 1st, 2005
Set in the north of Alaska during a time of familial change for the narrator and a time of cultural change for the people who live in the nearest village, there's plenty to explore here. --Matt
$16.00
ISBN: 9781555973865
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Graywolf Press - November 1st, 2003
These are clever poems, but not too clever. They are just right. Try "America" on page 7. --Matt
$14.99
ISBN: 9780061577659
Availability: Special Order - Usually 1-5 Days
Published: Harper Perennial - June 17th, 2008
$19.95
ISBN: 9780295982939
Availability: Special Order - Usually 1-5 Days
Published: University of Washington Press - January 1st, 2003
Each chapter gives a small window into the elements of the natural world that we live with here in the Northwest. Informative and fun to read. --Matt
$16.99
ISBN: 9780312352196
Availability: Special Order - Usually 1-5 Days
Published: St. Martin's Griffin - June 26th, 2007
This was hilarious. Full of great social commentary. Start on p.148 with "The idea of cubicles..." and read a couple of pages and see what you think. --Matt
$20.00
ISBN: 9780312426439
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Picador - August 21st, 2007
Part mystery, part relationship conundrums, part meditation on neurology, part lyrical description of Platte River beauty. --Matt
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ISBN: 9780156031875
Availability: Not Available
Published: Harvest Books - September 5th, 2006
Some of these are the weirdest stories I've read so far. But they sure worked their magic on me. --Matt
$15.99
ISBN: 9780743487481
Availability: Special Order - Usually 1-5 Days
Published: Atria Books - March 28th, 2006
Kohn has written much regarding education, it's nice to see his take on parenting. I've had lots of good discussions with parents based on Kohn's provocative ideas. --Matt