From last week's Book Sense bestseller lists, available at booksense.com, here are the recommended titles, which are also Book Sense Picks:
Hardcover
Pascal's Wager: The Man Who Played Dice with God by James A. Connor (HarperSanFrancisco, $24.95, 0060766913). "This is a fascinating read about the trials and tribulations of Pascal, a young math and science genius, who died in his thirties, but who paved the way during the early 1600s for many of today's discoveries and their applications, such as computers and atomic energy."--Harold Hicks, Books on the Bluff, Townsend, Ga.
Lights Out by Jason Starr (St. Martin's Minotaur, $22.95, 0312359721). "Two bright young men play side by side on their high school baseball team. In the blink of an eye, Ryan's life is changed forever while Jake goes on to become what Ryan had always wanted to be, a player in the major leagues. This is a tight, well-written story with over-the-top action and plenty of suspense."--Andra Tracy, Out Word Bound, Indianapolis, Ind.
Paperback
Vince and Joy by Lisa Jewell (Harper Paperbacks, $14.95, 0061137464). "Vince and Joy is full of near misses--two teenagers who fall in love quickly and then part unexpectedly, only to spend the next 20-odd years almost meeting up again. This one will have you cheering--so read it!"-Sherri Ashburner, R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison, Conn.
For Ages 9 to 12
Extraordinary Ordinary People by Alan Govenar (Candlewick, $22.99, 0763620475). "Meet a Chinese opera singer, a boat builder, a rug weaver, and a tissue paper wreath maker. Each of these artists has received a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, and each of them is wonderfully represented here, with engaging text and photographs that show step-by-step how they create amazing and unusual works of art."--Alison Morris, Wellesley Booksmith, Wellesley, Mass.
The Floating Island: The Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme by Elizabeth Haydon, illustrated by Brett Helquist (Starscape, $17.95, 0765308673). "Magical creatures, spirited heros and heroines, despicable villains, and a fantastical landscape all combine to create a wonderful new fantasy adventure that feels like an old favorite, even on the first read through."--Rich Rennicks, Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe, Asheville, N.C.
[Many thanks to Book Sense and the ABA!]
Hardcover
Pascal's Wager: The Man Who Played Dice with God by James A. Connor (HarperSanFrancisco, $24.95, 0060766913). "This is a fascinating read about the trials and tribulations of Pascal, a young math and science genius, who died in his thirties, but who paved the way during the early 1600s for many of today's discoveries and their applications, such as computers and atomic energy."--Harold Hicks, Books on the Bluff, Townsend, Ga.
Lights Out by Jason Starr (St. Martin's Minotaur, $22.95, 0312359721). "Two bright young men play side by side on their high school baseball team. In the blink of an eye, Ryan's life is changed forever while Jake goes on to become what Ryan had always wanted to be, a player in the major leagues. This is a tight, well-written story with over-the-top action and plenty of suspense."--Andra Tracy, Out Word Bound, Indianapolis, Ind.
Paperback
Vince and Joy by Lisa Jewell (Harper Paperbacks, $14.95, 0061137464). "Vince and Joy is full of near misses--two teenagers who fall in love quickly and then part unexpectedly, only to spend the next 20-odd years almost meeting up again. This one will have you cheering--so read it!"-Sherri Ashburner, R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison, Conn.
For Ages 9 to 12
Extraordinary Ordinary People by Alan Govenar (Candlewick, $22.99, 0763620475). "Meet a Chinese opera singer, a boat builder, a rug weaver, and a tissue paper wreath maker. Each of these artists has received a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, and each of them is wonderfully represented here, with engaging text and photographs that show step-by-step how they create amazing and unusual works of art."--Alison Morris, Wellesley Booksmith, Wellesley, Mass.
The Floating Island: The Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme by Elizabeth Haydon, illustrated by Brett Helquist (Starscape, $17.95, 0765308673). "Magical creatures, spirited heros and heroines, despicable villains, and a fantastical landscape all combine to create a wonderful new fantasy adventure that feels like an old favorite, even on the first read through."--Rich Rennicks, Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe, Asheville, N.C.
[Many thanks to Book Sense and the ABA!]