The Elliott Bay Book Company

Love him or hate him—Franzen does try to tackle it all in his sweeping novels populated with flawed heroes. From story, to style, to dialogue—there is much to discuss about Freedom. —Holly

With the proliferation of "cookie cutter" plots and attempted mimicry to increase sales, it has become increasingly difficult to argue with critics like V.S. Naipaul and George Steiner who question the future of the novel. Then, along comes a writer like Dexter Palmer who manages to epitomize the facet that a novel should be ... well ... a novel. This is a remarkable story that is told in a writing style that breathes fresh breath from the book's very pages. This is an outstanding book that deserves to be read by readers who truly care about literature. Long live the Novel! —Jamil

We all—left and right—seem to have much to say about the Revolutionary War and yet, what do we know? Harvard History professor/New Yorker contributor Jill Lepore sets us straight while taking us on a tour of history afficionados. Is it true that we create the history we want to see? Discuss! —Karen

With the proliferation of "cookie cutter" plots and attempted mimicry to increase sales, it has become increasingly difficult to argue with critics like V.S. Naipaul and George Steiner who questions the future of the novel. Then, along comes a writer like Dexter Palmer who manages to epitomize the fact that a novel should be...well...novel. This is a remarkable story that is told in a writing style that breathes fresh breath from the book's very pages. This is an outstanding book that deserves to be read by readers who truly care about literature. Long live the Novel! —Jamil

What is it about women's friendships? Are they always so fierce? Caldwell writes eloquently of her intense friendship with Caroline Knapp, fellow writer and dog lover. —Holly

Patrick Hamilton is a forgotten giant of early 20th century British fiction—think of the cutting wit of Waugh combined with the gritty pessimistic realism of Celine. Here is the sad, sordid and somehow redemptive underbelly of pre-WWII working-class London as seen through the divergent and overlapping perspectives of three unforgettably real tales of its denizens. —Peter

Stitched up in complex issues and characters, Birdie's story is a provocative intense little page turner. She is a girl spinning in mutiplicities in an either/or world, a painfully lucid witness, a powerful, awkward and thoughtful participant. She resists being the victim of a fractured family, seeking reclamation, self-determination and love to save herself. So well written and one of my all-time favorites. —Shannon