The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America770 reviews Erik Larson Vintage, 2004 Time machine + Highly Rated for History Fans + A bit tedious at times, but worth a read - esp if you like architectural history This book makes me wish I had a time machine to go back and see the White City in person. I work in downtown Chicago and I walk by many of the buildings described in the book every day. I find it fascinating to think of what Chicago must have been like in 1893. Of course the story of HH Holmes is ...             The Highest Tide: A Novel61 reviews Jim Lynch Bloomsbury USA Children's Books, 2007 Puget Sound Memories + A touching coming of age story (with marine biology details) + A good read + "Maybe the earth is trying to tell us something" + Impressive First Novel             The Mysteries of Pittsburgh: A Novel114 reviews Michael Chabon Harper Perennial, 2008 Post-college confusion + Beautiful and complex story I am envious of Michael Chabon. To have the skill to write such a near perfect book for your first novel is remarkable. It is also a shame that this book is overshadowed by "Kavalier and Clay" and the "Wonder Boys" since it shouldn't take a back seat to either of those novels. The book ...             The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao222 reviews Junot Díaz Riverhead Hardcover, 2007 Not So Brief, But Just As Wondrous + One of the best bad novels or one of the worst good ones? + Joys, suffering, fears and passions + The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao             Into the Wild1219 reviews Jon Krakauer Anchor, 2007 I went to the woods .. + Poorly Equipped Dreamer + Beauty, goodness and hope. . . That the force that is nature will ultimately change those of us who are enthralled by it. Its not surprising tht the protagnist in "Into the Wild" gives up so much to live primtively in the northern climes of Alaska .. its Thoreau revisited. The author never fails to please those who understand ...             Midnight's Children181 reviews Salman Rushdie Vintage Classics, 2008 Wicked Sense of Humor + A Magic Carpet Ride of Indian History Oh, my goodness. What do I say about this? It's such a rich, excellently written story with lots of interesting action and characters. Bonus: Rushdie has a wicked wicked WICKED sense of humor. And, did I say that the writing is to die for? Envy the size of an elephant inhabited my body as I was ...             Against the Machine: Being Human in the Age of the Electronic Mob11 reviews Lee Siegel Spiegel & Grau, 2008 This book is so good + Every tool can be good or bad -- it depends on whose hands are using it + The Great Digital Unwashed This book is so good. Siegel is one of the few writers who aren't caught up with all of the hype of Google and Web 2.0. What's popular isn't always what's right and Siegel is right.             The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (Signet Classics)84 reviews Victor Hugo Signet Classics, 2001 A Delightful Read + Notre Dame de Paris -- C'est perfect! + Hugo's commentary on the death penalty + A Great Book for Kids             The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo108 reviews Stieg Larsson Knopf, 2008 Perfect gift + Good read + Difficult themes, smartly written and tightly plotted with one of the most interesting heroines in in recent memory. + Exquisitely beautiful, a mystery of the human spirit set in Sweden             The Golden Compass, Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition (His Dark Materials, Book 1)1462 reviews Philip Pullman Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2006 Golden Compass-an ultimate classic + Northern Lights / Golden Compass = Wonderful! + Adventure in the far, far north + Magically Adventure Tale for Both Children and Adults (A Grade)             The Book Thief437 reviews Markus Zusak Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2007 Beautiful, Poignant, Touching + For middle school through middle age and then some + Great Book for Any Season! + amazing + Haunting             Against the Machine: Being Human in the Age of the Electronic Mob11 reviews Lee Siegel Spiegel & Grau, 2008 This book is so good + Every tool can be good or bad -- it depends on whose hands are using it + The Great Digital Unwashed This book is so good. Siegel is one of the few writers who aren't caught up with all of the hype of Google and Web 2.0. What's popular isn't always what's right and Siegel is right.             The Golden Compass, Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition (His Dark Materials, Book 1)1462 reviews Philip Pullman Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2006 Golden Compass-an ultimate classic + Northern Lights / Golden Compass = Wonderful! + Adventure in the far, far north + Magically Adventure Tale for Both Children and Adults (A Grade)             The Highest Tide: A Novel61 reviews Jim Lynch Bloomsbury USA Children's Books, 2007 Puget Sound Memories + A touching coming of age story (with marine biology details) + A good read + "Maybe the earth is trying to tell us something" + Impressive First Novel             The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao222 reviews Junot Díaz Riverhead Hardcover, 2007 Not So Brief, But Just As Wondrous + One of the best bad novels or one of the worst good ones? + Joys, suffering, fears and passions + The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao             The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (Signet Classics)84 reviews Victor Hugo Signet Classics, 2001 A Delightful Read + Notre Dame de Paris -- C'est perfect! + Hugo's commentary on the death penalty + A Great Book for Kids             The Mysteries of Pittsburgh: A Novel114 reviews Michael Chabon Harper Perennial, 2008 Post-college confusion + Beautiful and complex story I am envious of Michael Chabon. To have the skill to write such a near perfect book for your first novel is remarkable. It is also a shame that this book is overshadowed by "Kavalier and Clay" and the "Wonder Boys" since it shouldn't take a back seat to either of those novels. The book ...             Into the Wild1219 reviews Jon Krakauer Anchor, 2007 I went to the woods .. + Poorly Equipped Dreamer + Beauty, goodness and hope. . . That the force that is nature will ultimately change those of us who are enthralled by it. Its not surprising tht the protagnist in "Into the Wild" gives up so much to live primtively in the northern climes of Alaska .. its Thoreau revisited. The author never fails to please those who understand ...             The Book Thief437 reviews Markus Zusak Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2007 Beautiful, Poignant, Touching + For middle school through middle age and then some + Great Book for Any Season! + amazing + Haunting             The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo108 reviews Stieg Larsson Knopf, 2008 Perfect gift + Good read + Difficult themes, smartly written and tightly plotted with one of the most interesting heroines in in recent memory. + Exquisitely beautiful, a mystery of the human spirit set in Sweden