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IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING by Susan Gregory Thomas

November 20, 2011

A JOURNALIST’S DIVORCE MEMOIR is at its best when most personal, at its worst when it turns to pop sociology. B MINUS

IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING: A MEMOIR
Random House
2011

Grade: B MINUS

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THE MAN IN THE ROCKEFELLER SUIT by Mark Seal

November 19, 2011

JUICY TRUE CRIME story of the German man who posed as “Clark Rockefeller” and others, exhaustively reported. SOLID B

THE MAN IN THE ROCKEFELLER SUIT: THE ASTONISHING RISE AND SPECTACULAR FALL OF A SERIAL IMPOSTOR
Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
2011

Grade: SOLID B

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MACHINE MAN by Max Barry

November 18, 2011

SHARP, THOUGHT-PROVOKING SF novel about a scientist obsessed with building his own prostheses is a wry parable. B PLUS

MACHINE MAN
Random House Inc
2011

Grade: B PLUS

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THE POSTMORTAL by Drew Magary

November 17, 2011

CHILLINGLY BELIEVABLE TALE of the slow apocalypse that follows discovery of a cure for aging. Smart and grim. B PLUS

THE POSTMORTAL
Penguin USA
2011

Grade: B PLUS

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THE CONVERT by Deborah Baker

November 16, 2011

TENSE, COMPELLING NOVEL brings El Salvador’s attempted coup and successful popular uprising of 1944 to life. B PLUS

THE CONVERT: A TALE OF EXILE AND EXTREMISM
Graywolf Press
2011

Grade: B PLUS

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THE CONVERT by Deborah Baker

November 15, 2011

UNSETTLING BIOGRAPHY OF American Jewish writer, 60s convert to Islam is as confoundingly opaque as its subject. SOLID B

THE CONVERT: A TALE OF EXILE AND EXTREMISM
Graywolf Press
2011

Grade: SOLID B

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THIS BEAUTIFUL LIFE, by Helen Schulman

November 13, 2011

RIPPED-FROM-THE-HEADLINES problem novel never quite takes off despite some lovely writing and characterization.

Grade: SOLID B

THIS BEAUTIFUL LIFE
Harper
2011

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GRAVEMINDER, by Melissa Marr

November 12, 2011

SPOOKY AND ATMOSPHERIC tale of a small town’s morbid traditions is YA sensation Melissa Marr’s first for adults.

Grade: B PLUS

GRAVEMINDER
William Morrow
2011

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ORIGINAL SIN, by Beth McMullen

November 11, 2011

FAST-PACED, WITTY THRILLER follows a spy turned full-time mom fighting international crime and cranky toddlers.

Grade: A MINUS

ORIGINAL SIN
Hyperion
2011

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THE HYPNOTIST, by Lars Kepler

November 10, 2011

BROODING AND EVOCATIVE Swedish police procedural/thriller relies on mood, not action. Crisp translation shines.

Grade: SOLID B

THE HYPNOTIST
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
2011

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