Peter

Stoner
by John Williams
The writing is so concise and beautiful—it's like looking into water so clear and still on the surface—you have no idea of the depth or power of the current—until you're submerged—and swept away.
When I finished Stoner—I said—AT LAST—I've found a perfect novel.

So What
by Taha Muhammad Ali
He writes with the grace and forgiveness of an angel, the humanity of an everyman. Taha's poems speak the truth, without a trace of rancor—with a transcendent hope for reconciliation and redemption.

The Fugitive Wife
by Peter C. Brown
A great, roiling tale of loss, passion, greed, redemption—steeped in the intricate, authentic detail of gold-rush Alaska and its Seattle jumping-off point. A triumphant first novel. A joy to read. Un-put-down-able!

Collected Poems
by Jane Kenyon
For the first time, all of the published poems, plus some not previously published work, in one volume. This is one of the masters of twentieth century American poetry.

The Cave
by Jose Saramago
The greatest living novelist has written his masterpiece—set in the future (?), when the shopping mall ("The Center") becomes the locus of civilization and authority. A discovery in an excavation changes lives—and threatens the established order.
Compelling and magical—a master's triumph.

Refusing Heaven
by Jack Gilbert
Much is written calling itself poetry. Most of it isn't. Jack Gilbert is the real thing. This is the best new poetry collection I've read in years. (try page 66)

The Discovery of Heaven
by Harry Mulisch
What a fabulous book--the fate of mankind rests on the "chance" meeting of two brilliant young Dutch men and the tangled web of their subsequent friendship. This ranks with the best of the masterpieces of fantastic realism.

The Poetry of Pablo Neruda
edited by Ilan Stavans
Quoth Gabriel Garcia Marquez, "The greatest poet of the 20th century--in any language."

The Book of Images
by Rainer Maria Rilke
If I could only own one volume of poetry to read and re-read, this would be my pick. Rilke's mesmerizing voice soars; and Snow's translations provide the almost-perfect conductor of the poet's electricity.