The Elliott Bay Book Company

America is a troubled fifteen year old boy. Trauma in his past has brought him to a residential treatment program, but falling through crack after crack and finding no support, America is reluctant to share with his new therapist. After what he's gone through though, I don't see how anyone can blame him. E. R. Frank, herself a social worker, has constructed a raw, affecting portrait of a boy beaten down by life, struggling to figure out where he fits in the world. —Casey S.

With Blood's A Rover Ellroy concludes his Underworld USA trilogy. The book opens by dropping the reader smack in the middle of an armored car heist that reads like a scene from a Sam Peckinpah movie starring Lee Marvin or Charles McGraw. From there the story propels across a crazy tapestry of American history filtered through the three headed hydra point of view of Ellroy's main characters; Wayne Tedrow Jr. (a little older, wiser, darker), crooked G man Dwight Holly (as corrupt and corruptible as ever), and the new guy, wheelman/wannabe PI Don (Crutch) Crutchfield, a slimy little perverted peephole squinter and pantie sniffer. These three are joined by such historical luminaries of striking corruption and mendacity as J. Edgar Hoover, Howard Hughes, Richard Nixon, and a cadre of killers, commies, pushers, freaks, and drug runners. Blood's A Rover is a big, ballsy, brutal book that could only have been written by the Demon Dog of American crime fiction—James Ellroy. —Matt

Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins are your guides on this opium-fueled sojourn through the back alleys and underground catacombs of Victorian London. In this haunting and beguiling story, Simmons re-imagines Dickens' true inspiration behind his final novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood. This is a well written, creepy and enigmatic look into the dark, obsessed and demented corners of two of the greatest literary minds of the Nineteenth Century. —Jamil

You may have heard about this novel. It won France's prestigious Prix Goncourt as well as The Literary Review's Bad Sex in Fiction Award. It has been hotly debated by reviewers and readers with fans lauding Littell's creativity and virtuosity and proclaiming it a modern War & Peace. Detractors counter that it is obscene, crude and glorifying of violence and perversion. I, personally, thought it was excellent. The writing is inspired and it exhibited an exceptional scope of literary vision and execution. Yes, it is the story of a Nazi, there is stomach-turning violence and a few incestuous acts and fantasies, but let's remember that this is based on The Oresteia which Aeschylus wrote 2500 years ago. Have we really evolved to such a moral high ground since then? You'll never know what all of the fuss is about unless you've read it for yourself! —Jamil

She was 7 years old. She witnessed the brutal slaughter of her 2 sisters and mother. She accused her brother who now sits in prison and she has no contact. 25 years later Libby suffers deeply. Not until the "kill club" creeps find her does she begin to question her brother's guilt. The author flashes back between the day of the crime to the present. The truth—you won't see it coming! —Seth

What is your favorite flavor of zombie plague? Evil virus? Cosmic radiation? Divine retribution? Well, all of these and more are collected here in this delicious anthology of flesh eating undead mayhem from some of the world's greatest authors. —Rich

Based on actual events and family lore, this novel tells the amazing story of three brothers who run moonshine in the Virginia hills during the late 20's/early 30's. Bondurant's writing is masterful, especially when the action gets intense (there were several times when I had to look away from the book and take a deep breath). This is a prime example of the remarkable things that can happen when a talented author gets hold of a powerful story. "There's only two things up in them Franklin County hills for those who are looking: stump whiskey and free ass whippin's." —Jamil

The allure of that other, hidden place (first discovered between the pages of a very strange book) is what entices a traveler to embark on a surreal journey. Yes, it is Prague, but which Prague and when? We're left to wonder, enchanted. —Karen

Long before the space age came to lower Queen Anne Hill and we were all invited to take a peek at the 21st century (where's my jetpack?) and required to take visiting relatives up 605 feet, Seattle was host to the Alaska Yukon Exposition in 1909, on what is now the UW campus. This incredibly illustrated and well-researched book chronicles the history of Seattle's first World's Fair, an event that ran four months in 1909 and attracted 3.7 million visitors. Interesting facts: it was the first World's Fair to make a profit, it provided a national platform for women's suffrage, and was designed by the Olmstead brothers. This book is full of fun and interesting history for both locals and out of town guests. —Matt

A wild, mad, drunken, raucous, heartfelt and hilarious account of Ferguson's life leading to the Late Late Show and finally American Citizenship. Ferguson writes very well—a rarity when it comes to celebrity memoirs. This is a exceptionally satisfying and enjoyable book for its candidness and sense of humor. Plus you get a list of Craig's ten favorite soups! —Greg

Pulitzer Prize winner and former Poet Laureate Ted Kooser has written a most exquisite memoir. Though short in pages he gently reflects on his family long departed with sentimental prose. I had not read any of his work prior to this book, and now I will seek him out. The love and devotion over the many years his family lives is deeply felt in his words. The story lingers as a gift one loves. —Seth

David Selig is a telepathic whose gift/curse is waning and dying. Robert Silverberg has written a brilliant and intimate portrait of a man whose life force is draining from him. First published in 1972, Silverberg's novel didn't find a broad audience—it should because it is extraordinary. It brings to mind Dante's Inferno. I'd put it along side many so-called "literary" novels that have met with much more whoopla. —Greg

Have you ever loved a book so much you almost can't talk about it? This is mine. A sprawling family saga; moving, heartbreaking, triumphant as nothing else I've ever read. At the center of this story of a family uprooted from rural Kentucky to the inferno of Detroit during WWII towers Gertie Nevins, a character so real, so admirable you'll never forget her. I want everyone to read this book. —Peter

It takes Loris ten minutes to eat a satsuma... an hour to scratch his bottom. Most of the time he just prefers to sleep. The zoo visitors, even the other animals think he's boring. But Loris doesn't care. He has a secret. Assumptions of another are turned upside down in this wonderfully illustrated picture book. Out since 2002, I just found and fell in love with it. —Hanna

Once upon a time a genius took two items, chocolate and peanut butter, and combined them to make something far greater than the sum of its parts. Now Joe Schreiber has done something similar, though perhaps not as appetizing, by combining STAR WARS with ZOMBIES! —Rich

Finally, a book by Janet Brown, a very gifted writer, a keen observer of the world, and one of the most wicked wits around. I love this collection of stories about life in Bangkok, feeling the outsider, and aging. —Tracy

What kind of city do you want to live in? Jane Jacobs helped save some of the best parts of New York City and helped us realize that progress can be defined as restoring and preserving varied streetscapes and walkable neighborhoods. This book spells out what we know intuitively: combine the old with the new. And it tells us why. Essential reading. —Karen

Jobless and widowed, a small stash of money and vodka in his single bag, Lev, 42, leaves his unnamed Eastern European country, his beloved village, Mother and 5-year-old daughter, for better opportunities in London. In the city he endures backbreaking work, puts up with unwelcome behavior and homesickness. Rose Tremain paints a textured picture of an immigrant's story with a Dickensian cast of characters and a protagonist whose integrity, pain, and bravery are at once admirable and heartbreaking. —Hanna

Perfect choice for anyone looking for a great crime novel that is full of action and a taste of WWII history. Quick paced and intelligently written, don't let this one pass you by. —Jillian

This is one of those books that sort of defies description. If I tell you it's about 12 year old Miranda and her friend Sal, or Miranda's mother's upcoming appearance on The $20,000 Pyramid, or the crazy guy on the corner, or the appearance of the mysterious notes, I would really be missing the point. The point is for you to read and discover. Truly wonderous. —Holly

Jack Levitt is a white orphan teen scraping by on the streets of Portland where he meets Billy Lancing, a black teenager just off the bus from Seattle who is wise beyond his years when it comes to handling a pool cue. By the time they meet again in San Quentin over a decade later, a lot has happened, This book is about real pain and real desperation, but it is also about love that is honest, unexpected and heartbreaking. Its beauty and power lie in its refusal to dishonor these characters with easy redemption or simple solutions. —Casey O.

How Fiction Works is not a "how to", an exercise in worrying about what you haven't read, or an escape from doing the reading and writing yourself. It is gorgeous, celebratory, surprising, funny, and cheeky. And it encourages you to read and write more. —Karen

Much has been written in recent years about the economic effect of discount stores; but where did this perception come from? Atlantic correspondent Ellen Ruppel Shell chronicles our initial distrust of cheap to its current popularity. From food, to clothing and furniture this comprehensive volume analyzes the real price of cheap. —Holly

Fans of John Green will love Bray's first foray into contemporary teen drama. At first, the story of a sleepy Texas town inhabited by chronic underachiever Cameron Smith begins to unfold. But after Cameron learns of his inexplicable contraction of Mad Cow Disease and subsequent visit by what could be his guardian angel, Cameron embarks on a divinely inspired road trip to save the world. Part fantasy, part teen angst tale, Going Bovine is a hilarious journey into the mind of a teenage boy. —Casey S.

Judd Foxman, the protagonist in this hilarious novel, is in the midst of one big mess. Not only has he discovered his wife in bed with his boss, his father has just died. And as if this wasn't enough, he learns that his atheist father's dying wish was for the family to sit shiva for a week. And what a family it is: a sharky, wise-cracking, darkly comic bunch of characters forced to remain together for seven days as they go through the motions of religious mourning. Tropper is a master of dialogue and his voice is fresh and true. Hands down one of the funniest books I've ever read. —Laurie

"What traitors books can be! You think they're backing you up, and they turn on you. Others can use, too, and there you are, lost in the middle of the moor, in a great welter of nouns and verbs and adjectives." -from the book.
This sumptuously illustrated edition won't betray you. —Holly

A healer's daughter, orphaned and in the clutches of an evil stepmother is haunted by a ghostly visitor in this retelling of Cinderella. Not normally my kind of thing but I was spellbound!! A gread read for young adults and for older folks too. True love comes in all stripes. —Karen

CAUTION: Do not begin this book unless you're prepared to devour the pages—preceding sleep, food. Pure adrenaline rush, this is the most compelling mystery I've ever read. The good news—there are two sequels coming. —Peter

Fiction and reality are almost inseparable in this award-winning novella. The author is also narrator and tells a tale of high-ended emotions, of family secrets, loss and grief, haunted pasts as he comes of age to learn of all. A beautifully translated story—highly recommended. —Seth

In Nam Le's first collection, each story has a scope and depth one might expect from a veteran writer. They include a struggling Vietnamese American writer in Iowa, an assassin in Colombia, small-town life in Australia, an American woman visiting Tehran, and more. These stories traverse more than the complexities of geography; they stare straight at imperfection, disconnection, age, cultural clash, and the limitless possibilities for life in an infinitely varied by strangely congruent human world. A lesser writer would get lost in creating a book of these grand expanses, but Nam Le has the empathy and unique talent to master it. —Jennifer

You could devote a lifetime—nay—two to discovering the author of the timeless and brilliant plays. OR you could be greatly entertained and equally informed by Bill Bryson in his succinct biography. (Then you could tell all those Oxfordians that they are full of old air.) —Holly