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THE DINNER, by Herman Koch, translated by Sam Garrett

April 30, 2013

SAVAGE BLACK COMEDY mocks social climbing, politics, family ties, Dutch society, the idea of sanity itself.

Grade: A MINUS

THE DINNER
Random House/Crown/Hogarth
2013

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AFTER VISITING FRIENDS, by Michael Hainey

April 29, 2013

UNANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT his father’s 1970 death inspire a reporter to dig deep into his family history.

Grade: SOLID B

AFTER VISITING FRIENDS: A SON'S STORY
Scribner
2013

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THE TELEPORTATION ACCIDENT, by Ned Beauman

April 28, 2013

A WILD HISTORICAL PICARESQUE races from 1930s Berlin to LA, complete with pulp staples like ghosts and spies.

Grade: B PLUS

THE TELEPORTATION ACCIDENT
Bloomsbury
2013

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THE PRINCE OF PARADISE, by John Glatt

April 27, 2013

A PAMPERED HOTEL HEIR, a troubled marriage, and a brutal murder add up to a compelling true crime story.

Grade: SOLID B

THE PRINCE OF PARADISE: THE TRUE STORY OF A HOTEL HEIR, HIS SEDUCTIVE WIFE, AND A RUTHLESS MURDER
St. Martin's
2013

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STORM KINGS, by Lee Sandlin

April 26, 2013

EARLY TORNADO CHASERS in the US, from Ben Franklin through the 20th century, profiled in a lively history.

Grade: B PLUS

STORM KINGS: THE UNTOLD HISTORY OF AMERICA'S FIRST TORNADO CHASERS
Pantheon
2013

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THE ABUNDANCE, by Amit Majmudar

April 25, 2013

TOUCHING, GRACEFUL NOVEL about adult children caring for aging parents, connecting with their Indian heritage.

Grade: B PLUS

THE ABUNDANCE
Henry Holt & Company
2013

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THE MYTHS OF HAPPINESS, by Sonja Lyubomirsky

April 24, 2013

UPDATES FROM THE HAPPINESS psychology front, with a fresh take on conventional wisdom about joy, satisfaction.

Grade: B PLUS

THE MYTHS OF HAPPINESS: WHAT SHOULD MAKE YOU HAPPY, BUT DOESN'T; WHAT SHOULDN'T MAKE YOU HAPPY, BUT DOES
Penguin
2013

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ESLANDA, by Barbara Ransby

April 23, 2013

THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE of Eslanda Robeson, influential writer, civil rights activist, and wife of Paul Robeson.

Grade: B PLUS

ESLANDA: THE LARGE AND UNCONVENTIONAL LIFE OF MRS. PAUL ROBESON
Yale University Press
2013

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DOUGHNUT, by Tom Holt

April 22, 2013

DELIGHTFULLY TWISTED SCIENCE FICTION: a hapless schlub discovers apocalyptic physics and wacky multiverses.

Grade: A MINUS

DOUGHNUT
Orbit
2013

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WHAT THE FAMILY NEEDED, by Steven Amsterdam

April 21, 2013

SUDDEN MINOR SUPERPOWERS appear at times of crisis in this bittersweet parable of family pain and healing.

Grade: B PLUS

WHAT THE FAMILY NEEDED
Penguin/Riverhead
2013

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