BV Books Hot Picks 11.25.08

A Mercy (Fiction) by Toni Morrison
Knopf, $23.95
I had to read 'Beloved,' Morrison's tour de force (and winner of the Pulitzer Prize) , three times (yes, three times!) to get the mastery and genius of that book. 'A Mercy,' her first book since 'Beloved' to deal with the issue of slavery, is not so steeped in allegory and mystery, but the story is compelling all the same.


Knopf

Recipes for the Good Life (Nonfiction) by Patti Labelle
Simon & Schuster/Foundary/KHP, $25.00
It's Thanksgiving week. And even for those of us who can do their thing in the kitchen, we could all use a little extra help. Patti Labelle delivers with this cookbook again! The recipes are sassy, just like the author. And there are quite a few twists to some old favorites, like the macaroni and cheese. Full disclosure: this fabulous book is published by me.


Simon & Schuster

The Hemingses of Monticello (Nonfiction-History) by Annette Gordon-Reed
W.W. Norton & Co., $35.00
For those who don't understand the lasting effects of slavery, this is a look into the life of one of our founding fathers and the "family" he produced with his slave, Sally Hemings. Gordon-Reed is the 2008 winner of the prestigious National Book Prize and her work is an eye-opener. For those who do know their history, this book is a must-have in your library. According to Volataire, "History is nothing more than a tableau of crimes and misfortunes."


W.W. Norton & Co.

Dying for Revenge (Fiction) by Eric Jerome Dickey
Dutton, $25.95
From the opening page, Dickey grabs your attention in this tale of a hitman named Gideon. This is a follow up to Dickey's best sellers 'Sleeping with Strangers' and 'Waking with Enemies.' Get your seatbelt ready for this ride!


Dutton

Trouble in My Way (Fiction, Young Adult) by Michelle Stimpson
Pocket Books, $9.95 (paperback)
This is the story of Karis and what happens when her mother stumbles upon her diary and starts to read it! This is any young girl's worse nightmare. The way Karis handles this and growing up in general, is very well done by this author. This book would make a great gift for a young girl.


Pocket Books

Big Words for Little People (Children's) by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Harper Collins, $16.99
Words are powerful. Words hold the keys to unlock success. Those who can master words, can master their own world. So start your children off early knowing, understanding and embracing the power of words. We know Jamie Lee Curtis as an actress but she has made quite a career detour in this genre with aplomb!


Harper Collins

The American Journey of Barack Obama (Nonfiction/History), foreword by Edward M. Kennedy
Little, Brown, $24.99
For those collecting Obama memorabilia and slices of this historic time, this book should be a part of the package. Produced by the editors of Life magazine -- which many of us remember growing up as one of the best magazines to chronicle history and well, life, this book is beautifully done.


Time Life Books