Featured Titles 2005
New titles - selected on the basis of good reviews.
Nonfiction, fiction and mystery titles are included on these lists. Books
for kids and teens (fiction and nonfiction) are also listed.
November 2005
- Come Back to Afghanistan
Author: Akbar, Said Hyder
Publisher: Bloomsbury $ 24.95 ISBN: 1582345201 Date: 2005
Kirkus
Building on two acclaimed radio documentaries aired on "This American Life," this intimate and riveting chronicle is delivered by an extraordinarily courageous Afghan-American teenager coming of age in post 9/11 Afghanistan.
Suggested Reading: Afghanistan Stars
Updated 9.17.05
- Two Lives
Author: Seth, Vikram
Publisher: HarperCollins $ 27.95 ISBN: 0060599669 Date: 2005
PWBooklistKirkusLJ
This captivating new book--the story of a century and of a love affair across a racial divide--from the author of A Suitable Boy is the memoir of the marriage of the author's great uncle and aunt.
Updated 11.23.05
- Return to Wild America: A Yearlong Search for the Continent's Natural Soul
Author: Weidensaul, Scott
Publisher: North Point $ 25 ISBN: 0865476888 Date: 2005
PWLJBooklist
On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the publication of Wild America, naturalist Scott Weidensaul retraces Roger Tory Peterson's and James Fisher's steps to tell the story of wild America today.
Suggested Reading: Nature Stars
Updated 10.31.05
- The Conjurer's Bird
Author: Davies, Martin
Publisher: Crown $ 24 ISBN: 1400097339 Date: 2005
PWLJ
Here is a gripping mystery and rich love story set against a stunning naturalist backdrop. Spanning two time periods, it is the story of an 18th century naturalist given a rare bird, and of a present-day conservationist who tries to relocate the species' only known remains.
Suggested Reading: Darwin, Naturalists & Evolution
Updated 10.11.05
- It's Superman!
Author: De Haven, Tom
Publisher: Chronicle $ 24.95 ISBN: 0811844358 Date: 2005
Kirkus
The world's most popular and enduring super hero makes a smashing literary debut. This novel takes an entirely fresh approach to the emergence of his super-powers and his newspaper career, following him from Kansas t New York City. With worldly Lois Lane and political boss Lex Luthor, the Man of Steel battles against criminal masterminds, mad scientists, and supervillains inspired by fascist Germany. A fun and fast-paced novel of thrilling invention, heroic escapades, and supersized coming-of-age angst. - Publisher Marketing.
Updated 9.26.05
- Beasts of No Nation
Author: Iweala, Uzodinma
Publisher: HarperCollins $ 16.95 ISBN: 006079867x Date: 2005
KirkusBooklistLJ
A harrowing, utterly original debut novel about the life of Agu, a child soldier in a war town African country. In a powerful, strikingly original voice, Iweala leads the reader through the random travels, betrayals and violence that mark Agu's new community. - Publisher Marketing.
Suggested Reading: Child Soldiers | Debuts | All Stars
Updated 9.17.05
- Making It Up
Author: Lively, Penelope
Publisher: Viking $ 24.95 ISBN: 0670034479 Date: 2005
BooklistKirkusLJ
New from the award-winning author of Moon Tiger comes a masterly crafted exploration of the myriad answers to the question, "What if . . ."
Suggested Reading: All Stars
Updated 10.11.05
- Seeker
Author: McDevitt, Jack
Publisher: Ace $24.95 ISBN: 0441013295 Date: 2005
PW
Thousands of years after an entire colony disappears, antiquities dealer Alex Benedict comes into possession of a cup that seems to be from one of the colony's ships. The discovery raises more questions than answers and draws him into the very heart of danger.
Updated 10.11.05
- The Vow
Author: Millner, Denene, Burt-Murray, Angela, Miller, Mitzi
Publisher: Amistad $ 23.95 ISBN: 0060762276 Date: 2005
PW
Bling meets Bergdorf Blondes when three best friends make a pact to land the role of a lifetime--Hollywood wife--within a year. Set against the backdrop of money, power and sex, these women will find the desire to find a husband isn't as important as finding themselves.
Suggested Reading: African American Stars
Updated 9.20.05
- The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear
Author: Moers, Walter
Publisher: Overlook $ 26.95 ISBN: 1585677248 Date: 2005
PWLJ
Captain Bluebear tells the story of his first 13-1/2 lives spent on the mysterious continent of Zamonia, where intelligence is an infectious disease, water flows uphill, and dangers lie in wait for him around every corner.
Suggested Reading: If You Like Douglas Adams
Updated 8.24.05
- The Actor's Guide to Greed
Author: Copp, Rick
Publisher: Kensington $ 23 ISBN: 0758209606 Date: 2005
PW
Jarrod Jarvis's acting career is a long way from what it was when he was a child star. But his stock is about to rise when he runs into an old friend, writer Wallace Goodwin, who has scribed a play, bound for London's West End, with a scene stealing part for Jarrod. As much as the actors all seem to loathe one another, they truly resent Jarrod. It's a "cast" of characters including a hostshot young director; a British legend who's a lush, a Bollywood beefcake--hot for Jarrod's boyfriend, an out of the closet Sir with a penchant for young actors and Oscar-winning actress Claire Richards--Jarrod's only friend in the cast. No one can play a death scene like La Claire. Except that this time, the diva isn't faking it, she's been poisoned and Jarrod was the last one to see her alive. Accused of murdering the star, it's up to Jarrod to find out who killed Claire and clear his name. What becomes clear is that backstage is where the real drama lies -- affairs, lies, secrets, betrayals and blackmail... - Publishers Marketing.
Updated 10.11.05
- What Angels Fear
Author: Harris, C.S.
Publisher: NAL $ 23.95 ISBN: 0451216695 Date: 2005
LJ
A scholar of 19th-century Europe pens the debut of a historical suspense series "filled with suspense, intrigue, and plot twists galore" (Victoria Thompson, author of Murder on Lenox Hill).
Updated 10.11.05
- Now You See Me
Author: Krich, Rochelle
Publisher: Ballantine $ 14.95 ISBN: 0345468120 Date: 2005
The highly anticipated fourth mystery featuring true-crime writer Molly Blume begins as Molly reluctantly agrees to help a man find his daughter, who ran away with someone she met on the Internet. Molly's regrets are soon validated when she learns she's not been told the whole truth.
Updated 10.24.05
- Ordinary Heroes
Author: Turow, Scott
Publisher: FSG $ 26 ISBN: 0374184216 Date: 2005
KirkusPWLJ
In reconstructing the terrible events and agonizing choices his father faced on the battlefield during World War II, in the courtroom, and in love, Stewart Dubinsky gains a closer understanding of his past, of his father's character, and of the brutal nature of war itself.
Suggested Reading: Legal Stars | Veterans | All Stars
Updated 10.11.05
Age and grade designations are approximate, parental judgement should be used.
- Inexcusable
Author: Lynch, Chris
Publisher: Atheneum $ 16.95 ISBN: 0689847890 Date: 2005
Booklist Kirkus PW
Told in flashbacks and present-day narrative, this novel from Printz Honor winner Lynch is a riveting tale of guilt, innocence, and responsibility. When his childhood friend--and love of his life--accuses him of rape, a young man is convinced he's innocent.
Grades: Category:
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