September 17, 1999 The Book Sense 76 for October, Continued Back to the first section of The Book Sense 76 Mystery and Science Fiction & Fantasy 58. THE BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES 1999 (Houghton Mifflin, $13 paperback, 0395939151, due out in October) The third volume in the series edited by bookseller Otto Penzler, guest edited by Ed McBain. Some surprise contributors! � Book Sense staff 59. DARKNESS PEERING, by Alice Blanchard (Bantam, $23.95, 0553111531) "In a small town, as each little secret floats to the surface, the suspense builds, the clues abound�.but which are relevant? I couldn't move; I read this in one sitting!" � Susie Murphy, Auntie's Bookstore, Spokane WA Also an audiobook. 60. DARWIN'S RADIO, by Greg Bear (Ballantine, $24, 034542333X) "Science fiction takes a fast ride along the edges of biology and anthropology. Bear imagines the next step in the evolution of our species, makes it plausible, grapples with the difficult political and social consequences, and leaves the reader with a sense of the tremendous possibilities." - Charles Weidner, Shaman Drum Bookshop, Ann Arbor MI Also an audiobook. 61. HARD TIME, by Sarah Peretsky (Delacorte, $24.95, 0385313632) "V.I. Warshawky is back --after a 5 year absence --- and better than ever in another terrific mystery." � Sue Boucher, Lake Forest Books, Lake Forest IL Also an audiobook and a large print edition. 62. ROAD FROM MARS: A Post-Modern Novel, by Eric Idle (Pantheon, $24, 037540340X) "A sci-fi thriller about the interplanetary comedy circuit of the 22nd Century, by Mr. Idle of Monty Python fame!? Yes! It is a moving tribute to humanity, an exploration of the evolution of humor, and a riot. And it's clearly a work of love and many years of thought by this accomplished comedian-author." � Kelly Justice, Carytown Books, Richmond VA Also an audiobook. 63. SEVENTH SON, by Orson Scott Card (Tor, $5.99 paperback, 0812533054) A bookseller favorite. "Orson Scott Card's Alvin Maker books are must-reads! He has put a magical twist to American history that has resulted in an utterly beguiling series. Any book in the series can be read alone without spoiling the back story, but I promise you will want to read all of them. I love the way he weaves folk magic in with frontier American history. If you read any fantasy this year, make it one in this series." - Stacy Furrer, Fifth Avenue Books, El Centro, CA Also an audiobook Poetry 64. NEW AND SELECTED POEMS: 1974-1994, by Stephen Dunn (Norton, $15, 039331300X) "A book I often recommend to poetry readers and dabblers alike. Dunn's accessibility may amaze you and his insights into both the particulars of life and its generalities will reward you. Always searching, Dunn's voice is trustworthy." - Janice Wolstenholme, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh NC 65. PICNIC, LIGHTNING, by Billy Collins (Univ. of Pittsburgh, $12.95 paperback, 0822956705) "This book sells itself. All I do is put it in the customer's hands and say read the first poem, 'A Portrait of the Reader with a Bowl of Cereal,' and then I walk away. Unlike most new poetry I see today, Billy Collins's is wonderfully accessible, and deep and beautiful. The cereal bowl... 'the china slope of the hour...' knocks me out every time I read it. Every booklover will love 'Marginalia,' especially the punchline; every poet (both quiet and loud) will get goosebumps reading 'Silence' when he writes: 'Now is the time to say what you have to say...' - Andy Lacher, BookStacks, Bucksport ME Science and Nature 66. GALILEO'S DAUGHTER: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and Love, by Dava Sobel (Walker, $27, 0802713432, due out in October) "Sobel continues her mastery of the historical narrative form so eloquently demonstrated in her previous book, Longitude. Deftly weaving together Galileo's scholarly writings, his daughter Suor Maria Celeste's personal letters and transcripts of the Holy Office of the Inquisition, Sobel paints a humane and compassionate portrait of a man whose legend is as mythical as the planets and stars he studied." - C. Anthony Finney, Inkwood Books, Tampa FL Also an audiobook. 67. A LITTLE MORE ABOUT ME, by Pam Houston (Norton, $23.95, 0393048055) "In this collection of autobiographical essays about her relationship as a women to the outdoors, Houston gives another gift to fans of her fiction. This is a touching, lesson-filled book." � Gayle Shanks, Changing Hands Bookstore, Tempe AZ 68. MIND OF THE RAVEN: Investigations & Adventures with Wolf-Birds, by Bernd Heinrich (Cliff St. Books, $25, 0060174471) " Studying birds in the field can be a test of patience and will. But to bring home the subject of one's fascination, and to raise several to adulthood, is what Heinrich did to understand these enigmatic wolf-birds. The raven has lived in our minds and myths as an outsider, a scavenger, a thief. This book helps bring clarity and compassion to a part of nature that deserves our appreciation." - David J. Henkes, University Book Store, Bellevue, WA 69. THE PLEASURE OF FINDING THINGS OUT: The Best Short Works of Richard Feynman (Perseus, $24, 0738201081) Intellectual musings on the value and role of science, by one of the great geniuses of our time. � Book Sense staff 70. REASON FOR HOPE: A Spiritual Journey, by Jane Goodall (Warner, $26.95, 0446522252) "Scientist and naturalist Jane Goodall lectures to hundreds of thousands of people each year, raising awareness of the need to bring reason and compassion to the issues surrounding our current environmental crisis. Now, Ms. Goodall has set out to answer her most frequently asked question -- What inspires you to keep going? -- and demonstrates her eloquence on the subjects of spirituality and faith. The overall effect of this compelling and thoughtful book is a feeling of great inspiration."- Chris Farley, Powell's, Portland OR Travel 71. THE BAD GIRLS' GUIDE TO THE OPEN ROAD, by Cameron Tuttle (Chronicle, $14.95, 0811821706) � "A must for every car's glove box! This laugh-out-loud guide is packed with everything you'll need to hit the road in true Road Sister style. Be prepared to read sections out loud to anyone who'll listen." � Bonnie Stupin, Alexander Book Co., San Francisco CA 72. BEYOND THE SKY AND THE EARTH: A Journey into Bhutan, by Jamie Zeppa (Riverhead, $25.95, 157322118X) "22-year old Jamie leaves the comfort of urban, contemporary life to teach in remote Bhutan for two years, only to find she's totally unprepared for the hardships. But from reserves of courage and an open mind, she leans to adapt and instead experiences a pure joy with her new country, its landscape and her eager students. This is a mature, funny and joyous book." --Kay Marcotte, Page One Bookshop, Albuquerque, NM 73. HOUSE IN SICILY, by Daphne Phelps (Carroll and Graf, $25, 0786706562) "A captivating memoir that shows the beauty of Sicily and the love of community, home and history." � Tim Huggins, Newtonville Books, Newton MA Young Adult 74. I CAPTURE THE CASTLE, by Dodie Smith (St. Martin's, $13.95 paperback, 0312201656) "I cheered when I heard that this gem - about a teenage girl living in an English castle - was back in print!" � Molly Cook, Second Story Bookstore, Seattle WA 75. IN MY HANDS: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer, by Irene Gut Opdyke with Jennifer Armstrong (Knopf, $18, 0679891811) The true story of a 17 year old girl from a sheltered Polish-Catholic village who becomes a hero during the Holocaust. "A timeless book about the difference one individual can make. This book is destined to become a classic." - Dana Gilligan, Bookends, Ridgewood NJ Also an audiobook. 76. SANDRY'S BOOK: Circles of Magic, Vol. 1, by Tamora Pierce (Scholastic, $4.99 paperback, 0590554085) "Four children discover their own capabilities for magic and learn that together they are much stronger than apart. Pierce's books are more complex and her characters much more multi-layered than the average YA/SF." � Kathy Magruder, Lee Booksellers, Lincoln NE