 | The Yiddish Policemen's Union: A Novel by Michael Chabon
Buy new: $17.79 / Used from: $0.67 Great, sumptuous read. Michael Chabon has a way of making even the most seemingly banal scenes thrill and pulse - his observations and smooth voice make this book great. (The plot - No so much.) Still, probably the best-written book I've read all summer.
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 | The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson
Buy new: $10.20 / Used from: $1.01 Compulsively readable. Very interesting historical narrative about the making of the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago - The White City WAS extraordinary - mixed with a grim tale of a psychopath. Very good read.
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 | Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War by Mark Bowden
Buy new: $10.04 / Used from: $0.01 Enlightening look at soldiers under fire in the battle of Mogadishu. Ten times better than the movie - I appreciate and empathize with what soldiers go through. Makes me think of Iraq - our leaders should have read this book first.
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 | The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Buy new: $10.08 / Used from: $0.01 Quick, fun read. The protagonist is a young, somewhat autistic boy who has an interesting adventure. The illustrations of his puzzles and formulas add to the fun. Good book.
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 | King Dork by Frank Portman
Buy used from: $1.23 Quirky, offbeat story of a young, extremely unpopular high school kid. Portman's observations on society from the kid's point of view are hilarious - some lines are classic (I felt bad...not like...when a midget can't reach a shelf, but...) Funny - but plot becomes almost irrelevant.
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 | Running with Scissors: A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs
Buy used from: $0.01 A memoir of sadness and hilarity. Unbelievable some of the choices parents make in regards to their children. Very episodic in nature - book jumps from one strange occurence to the next. I was hoping for a little more by the time I got to the end.
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 | Brighton Rock by Graham Greene
Buy new: $10.88 / Used from: $4.02 I read this because the kid in "King Dork" recommended it. Whoa. Amazing book - plot is tighter than a...well, you know. Psychologically thrilling tale of a young sociopath and the woman who tracks him. The characters are etched so brilliantly, it hurts! Unbelievably good.
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 | Petropolis by Anya Ulinich
Buy used from: $0.24 Pretty good book - jumps around a lot but is very likeable and is an interesting (and humorous) glimpse into the life of a "weird" Russian girl...she has many adventures. Also peeks into Soviet era - good read!
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