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Staff Picks

We love to read, and we've got some interesting recommendations. Check Staff Picks weekly for new titles!

2007 July–December

Death of a Nationalist by Rebecca Pawel: Set just after the Spanish Civil War, this mystery involves a detective who shoots a woman he thinks killed his friend, then later tries to figure out who really did it.
The Wall by Peter Sís: An artist looks at growing up behind the Iron Curtain.
The Sea, the Sea by Iris Murdoch: Booker Prize-winning novel about an actor who decides to leave London to retire in a house on the sea and the mysterious people from his past that intrude.
A Second Is a Hiccup by H.J. Hutchins: How long is a second? A second is a hiccup — the time it takes to kiss your mom, or jump a rope, or turn around.
The Constant Rider Number 7 by Kate Lopresti (zine): In this issue, Kate writes about celebrity sightings in Portland, beginning with a sighting of a TriMet driver purchasing bras at Meier and Frank. She also recounts an entertaining flight from Portland to Minneapolis.
Good Sports by Jack Prelutsky: Rhymes about running, jumping, throwing and scoring!
World Leader Pretend by James Bernard Frost: Online gamers communicate and connect, working to achieve virtual world dominance. Meet the author.
Robot Dreams by Sara Varon: The enduring friendship between a dog and a robot is portrayed in this wordless graphic novel.
Clown Girl by Monica Drake: A quirky look at life in Baloneytown, a seedy neighborhood where drugs, balloon animals and even rubber chickens contribute to the local currency. Meet the author.
Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars by Douglas Florian: Take a trip to space with these poems and paintings.
Well by Matthew McIntosh: Blue-collar Federal Way, Washington, frames stories at once fierce and tragic, warm and human.
Pssst! by Adam Rex: The animals at the zoo have some unusual requests for a little girl who goes to visit.
Shovel Bum. Issue 11, Food by Trent de Boer: If you work as an archaeological field technician, you definitely get hungry. The job combines heavy labor with a requirement to be careful and patient at all times. This cheerful zine explores the nutrition, culinary habits and hunger patterns of "shovel bums," with anecdotes, cartoons and even a recipe! And readers are encouraged to remember shovel bum Dan Martin's personal motto: "Never hurt yourself with food!"
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt: A teacher and middle school student surprisingly learn a lot from each other.
Proof Positive by Phillip Margolin: Margolin's third legal thriller featuring defense lawyer Amanda Jaffe centers on a murderous forensic expert. Meet the author.
Leaves by David Ezra Stein: A curious bear observes how leaves change throughout the seasons.
The Wreckers by Iain Lawrence: A gripping tale of treachery along the storm-swept coast of Cornwall.
Germs Are Not for Sharing by Elizabeth Verdick: Tips for staying healthy. Germ storytime
Singing Boy by Dennis McFarland: A woman's husband is killed in a senseless act of violence and her eight-year-old son reveals his profound pain.
The Clown of God by Tomie de Paola: A once-famous Italian juggler, now old and a beggar, gives one final performance.
Thank You for the Music: Stories by Jane McCafferty: Short stories about silences and connections that develop between strangers.
Oh No, Gotta Go! by Susan Middleton Elya: Where's a bathroom when you need one?
The British Museum Is Falling Down by David Lodge: Twenty-four hours in the life of a grad student whose world is falling apart!
Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson: Tyler Miller questions his place in school, his family and the world. Meet the author.
Horse Heaven by Jane Smiley: A rich and entertaining saga of the racetrack with well-developed characters of both the two-legged and four-legged variety.
The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King: Sherlock Holmes meets his intellectual match: a 17-year-old American girl.
Joe Jones by Anne Lamott: Love and friendships among the people who frequent 79-year-old Jessie's wharf café in San Francisco.
Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson: Ash, who doesn't care about prom, finds herself roped into putting together a gala dance. 2007 Teen Author Lecture
English Passengers by Matthew Kneale: A culture clash of the starkest kind, narrated by an aboriginal Tasmanian.
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things by Carolyn Mackler: Virginia feels out of place in her family of thin, handsome high-achievers until one of them does something very un-perfect and she begins to see life more clearly.
Deep, Dark and Dangerous: On the Bottom with the Northwest Salvage Divers by Rebecca Harrison: A look at the highly dangerous work of salvage divers who must be carpenters, masons, riggers, hydraulic mechanics, ironworkers and welders - all underwater. Meet the author.
Owl in Love by Patrice Kindl: An obsessed girl spies on her teacher, a feat made easier by the fact that she is a were-owl.
The Final Confession of Mabel Stark by Robert Hough: A quirky tale inspired by the real life of Mabel Stark, large cat trainer and eccentric star of Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. The 80-year-old Mabel looks back over her life and recounts her adventures - sexy, heartbreaking, hair-raising and hilarious.
Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going: A 296-pound teen, a punk rocker and vomit … what a combo!
Isn't It Romantic? by Ron Hansen: A delightful parody of love lost, found and tangled in Seldom, Nebraska.
A Good Day by Kevin Henkes: Having a bad day? Check in here before making your final decision.
The Big Over Easy: A Nursery Crime by Jasper Fforde: A unique and fun visit to an alternate world, with a mystery tucked in as well.
Specials by Scott Westerfeld: A super creepy sci–fi trilogy comes to an end.
The House on the Strand by Daphne Du Maurier: A man becomes addicted to a drug that allows him to travel back to the middle ages.
Stink and the World's Worst Super-Stinky Sneakers by Megan McDonald: Stink discovers that his very own nose has amazing sniffing abilities.
Practice Apartment (zine): Regular people write of their experiences with laundry, shopping, food storage, cooking and house cleaning in this eloquent collection of essays, confessions and handy hints on all matters home economic.
Different Like Coco by Elizabeth Matthews: A picture book biography of the famous designer Coco Chanel.
The Dangerous Husband by Jane Shapiro: If you like your humor dark, and have ever despaired of your bungling mate, this is for you. Can he really be as well–meaning as he says?
Hurry! Hurry! by Eve Bunting: A joyful read for soon-to-be brothers and sisters or anyone celebrating the arrival of a new life.
The River Why by David James Duncan: Don't be fooled — it's not really about fly fishing, the Deschutes, or the Pacific Northwest.
The New Policeman by Kate Thompson: Irish teenager J.J. Liddy discovers that time is leaking from his world.
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly: Love history? Love mystery? Love words? A great tale based on the same event as Dreiser's An American Tragedy.
Today I Will Fly! by Mo Willems: Optimistic Piggie and pessimistic Elephant make their early reader debut.
Applicant by Jesse Recklaw: While rooting through a recycling bin the author found discarded Ph.D. applications from the 1960s and 1970s. His small zine juxtaposes application photos with actual comments from their references and leaves you wanting more.
Not a Box by Antoinette Portis: A cardboard box leads a bunny into many worlds of adventure.
Nontoxic Housecleaning: Just like it sounds, a zine featuring tips and tricks for keeping your castle spic 'n span without hurting yourself, your pets, your kids, or the environment.
One Naked Baby by Maggie Smith: Count from one to ten and back again.