Dede writes: The Hearts of Horses (0618799907) by Molly Gloss was a wonderful surprise to me. I discovered it amongst the many, many new novels we received at the end of 2007 and highly recommend it. It is set in Eastern Oregon in 1908, a time of change all across the United States. In this western area, this era marks the end of expansion and the end of our reliance on ranching and farming. A tall, shy young girl of 18 appears in the valley dressed in outdated rodeo garb and offers to “break” horses for the farmers and ranchers. She is determined to escape from her harsh family life and to earn her way by using the unusual skills she learned from a “horse whisperer.” Her methods are seen as revolutionary in the valley, but she prevails. There is a sweet love story along the way. If you admired Plainsong or any of Willa Cather's work, this is for you....More

The Birth House (0061135879) by Ami McKay was first published in Canada and is now available here in paperback. It received excellent reviews and was named the #1 Book of Original Fiction for the Year by the Toronto Star. Set in a tiny town in Nova Scotia during the First World War, the story explores how the long tradition of midwifery is affected by new theories and practices of medicine. A very old, wise woman named Miss Babineau passes along all her hard-won knowledge to the young and gifted Dora, only to be challenged by the brash and mercenary Dr. Thomas. This novel would be a good book group choice as there is much to discuss about birthing, marriage and tolerance. The author lives in a former Birth House in Nova Scotia and has done serious research on the subject....More

Also, Vikram Chandra’s vibrant novel of Mumbai (Bombay), Sacred Games (0061130362), is just out in paperback. Don't miss it!...More

Alice writes: Tom Perrotta’s satiric humor resonates yet again in his newest tale of suburbia, The Abstinence Teacher (0312358334). Just as he did in Little Children, Perrotta’s newest novel features the recognizable suburban characters and customs but is focused more on this nation’s division between the religious right and the liberal platform. When Ruth Ramsay, the sex ed teacher at a northeastern high school, tells her students that sex can be enjoyable the local evangelical church sets off on a crusade. The story is focused on Ruth and Tim, a soccer coach, reformed addict and active Tabernacle member. The war between the liberals and the evangelists draws sympathetic characters on both sides and reveals the complexity and flaws of these opposing belief systems....More

Also, if you haven’t read it yet, I recommend you pick up Dave Eggers’ What is the What (0307385906), a fictionalized biography of Valentino Achak Deng. The book opens with Deng being the victim of a gruesome robbery in Atlanta, but this crime serves as a vehicle for his own life story. As he is held at gunpoint and later talks to the police and hospital workers, he tells his tale of being a Lost Boy. Sudan’s decade of brutality is told through the lens of a vicious crime in the U.S. A story about unimaginable trauma, Eggers somehow is able to convey humor oftentimes. This book is not as much a piece of political outrage as it is a story about a young man searching for home and self in two different countries besieged with upheaval....More

Pat writes: Winter is here, and there are lots of books to enjoy while sitting by the fire to stay cozy and warm.

That’s Not My Snowman (0794514146) by Riona Watt and Rachel Wells is a delightful board book aimed at the very young. The bright and colorful pictures as well as the areas of textures on each page help the child develop sensory and language awareness. Much of the book’s fun comes from finding the touchy-feely spot on each page.

Jan Brett’s newest book, The Three Snow Bears (0399247920), is Goldilocks with a twist. In her beautiful and elaborate style, Ms. Brett brings readers to the Artic where a little Inuit Goldilocks takes us on her adventure with Papa, Mama and the baby polar bears....More

Fireside Stories, Tales for a Winter’s Eve (1846860652) by Caitlin Matthews and Helen Cann is wonderful to read and beautifully illustrated. When the nights grow long and the days grow short, it is a wonderful time to sit by the fire to read and share stories. This collection of seasonal tales come from around the world: Scotland, Russia, Canada, Czech Republic and Austria....More

Marilyn writes: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (0316013684) by Sherman Alexie is a coming-of-age story so well observed that although it is connected to one specific culture, it lends itself to universality. The book is also so emotionally honest that the humor almost always proves painful. The novel is presented as the diary of Arnold Spirit, Jr., a hydrocephalic 14-year-old cartoonist and Spokane Indian, and revolves around his desperate hope of escaping the reservation. He transfers to a public school 22 miles away in a rich farm town where the only other Indian is the team mascot. Although his parents support his decision, everyone else on the “rez” sees him as a traitor. At school, most teachers and students project stereotypes onto him. Readers begin to understand Junior’s determination as, over the course of the school year, alcoholism and self-destructive behaviors lead to the deaths of people he loves. This 2007 National Book Award winner is funny, poignant and heartwarming—and it features cartoons and basketball. A wonderfully readable “coming of age” story, this book is appropriate for older middle school and high school readers....More

Sure Fire (039924784X) by Jack Higgins (with Justin Richards) is just the thing for fans of the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz. After their mother is killed, 15-year-old twins Rich and Jade are shocked when their long-lost father, John Chance, arrives. After Chance suddenly disappears, Rich and Jade uncover the truth: he’s a spy, and whoever has kidnapped their father is after them as well. This is Higgins’ first novel for young adults, and the bestselling author of espionage has packed this book with fast-paced action and suspense....More

Patrick McDonnell’s Hug Time (0316114944) is every bit as sweet as his previous books. In this joyous story, Jules the kitten is so filled with love he wants to give the whole world a hug. First he goes down the stairs to hug his friends, then he hugs all the birds in the park, and then he travels the world, hugging all those he meets. As Jules learns, a hug is the simplest but kindest gift to give....More