This is one of the most-interesting books I've read in a while. It's about one-third fascinating insight into how design decisions influence (i.e. limit) how we use technology, one-third polemical argument about why and how we should be using technology, and one-third confusing jargon that'll send you to wikipedia to peruse somebody else's partial and/or manipulative definitions of those terms (and Lanier isn't happy about the pervasiveness of anonymous opinion masquerading as fact all over the internet).

It's a book you'll write all over and frequently argue with, re-read sections from and ponder until you form your own conclusions, which may be very different from the author's -- and I expect that's what Lanier set out to do. This isn't an easy-to-read-&-agree-with book about technology--and in that sense it's a breath of fresh air. But it's a book that anyone who wants to understand how technology affects our lives (whether to manipulate it or stop it manipulating us) should read.

First Woolf I read (after seeing the film). Very playful story, Orlando lives through many of the major events and calamities in England during 300 years. The character changes gender at one point, which might stretch credulity for some. Not as realistic as most of her other novels, but still experimental, quite beautiful and very entertaining nonetheless.

A love poem to the dusty, cramped, haphazardly organized, but well-stocked book store. Will have you reminiscing about favorite bookstores from your past, and may inspire a trip to one or two in the present.

I completely fell in love with Anne Fadiman when I read this book. Was it the fact that she grew up so surounded by books that she built forts out of them? Was it the fact that to her happiness is several pounds of dusty second-hand books found in an unexpectly good used book shop? Or, was it her tale of the most-difficult of post-nuptial rites-of-passage, the co-mingling of the book collections? Fadiman loves reading, loves books and loves writing about them -- and after Ex Libris I'll read anything she writes.

Mark Anderson argues that the Earl of Oxford, Edward de Vere, was the real author of the plays attributed to William Shakespeare.

Anderson marshals a large amount of evidence and makes a powerful case regarding the striking parallels between Edward de Vere's life and travels and the events and locations of Shakespeare's surviving plays. He's also very strong on describing the literary scene in London, and de Vere's role as a patron of several writers. However, his weakest section is where he tries to speculate on how and why de Vere might have picked the player Wil Shakespeare to be his front man.

While the whole doesn't convince, the book will delight anyone interested in Shakespeare's time, his plays and the enduring mystery over of their authorship.

A very enjoyable and entertainingly written short bio of Virginia Woolf. The author benefits from having actually known her as a child, and coming from the family of one of Woolf's lovers. He knew many of Woolf's contemporaries and has written a lively introduction to Woolf's life and work.

A great biography of a fascinating life. Leonard Woolf was a British bureaucrat in Sri Lanka before returning to England and marrying Virginia Woolf. He proved to be the practical half of their relationship and enable Virginia to write, while running the Hogarth Press and doing a great deal of work for socialist political causes.

Glendinning makes both the times and the life strangely gripping, given the cerebral circles he moved in.

I loved this novel! It's the story of a European immigrant in NYC who is disenchanted with the paranoia and suspicion of the post-9/11 US. After his wife leaves him, he stumbles into a community of ex-patriot cricketers who play wherever they can on the weekends. This group of marginalized, but hopeful individuals help him to reconnect with the American dream, and his own family.

Another strong WWII mystery. This time focusing on Germans who resisted the Nazi rise. Make sure you read the initial book in this series, Zoo Station, first.

Great book! Atmospheric mystery set in pre-war Berlin. Sheds light on some little-known aspects of life during the Nazi rise to power. Sympathetic characters and historically accurate events make this a great read for both history buffs and mystery fans.

Great book. And the audio version is fantastic, too.

I loved this book when I read it years ago. Visited Kerala some time later and found it exactly as Roy described. Must re-read because I recall little of the plot now, but have vivid pictures of going to the cinema, traveling in the backwaters and pickles.

I felt it was a testament to the authenticity and skill of Roy's book that when I was in India, several locals had read it and were full of praise.

Just awesome, hilarious and fun. The "on the make" guide part is the only aspect of the story I've had any experience with, and that seemed perfectly accurate and shed new light on my own experiences in India. Anyone thinking about going to or returning from India should read this picaresque tall tale.

Loved this book in school. Should re-read without the pressure to parrot the professor's opinions.

Excellent poetry collection. Loved it.

Here's my review:
http://wordhoarder.wordpress.com/2010/02/25/salt-just-two-books/

Really good first poetry collection. Here's my review: http://wordhoarder.wordpress.com/2010/02/25/salt-just-two-books/

Read this on vacation years ago. Lots of fun. Dead-on satire on the "self-help" publishing industry.

Great young British writer who deserves to be more widely read in the US. Dystopian, near-future setting. If you liked P.D. James Children of Men (or the movie) or Atwood's Handmaid's Tale or Oryx & Crake, this should appeal.

One of the first novels about India I read. Shares the same fabulist gene Rushdie has, but stays away from the allegorical sagas. Good book about the culture clash of East & West, with a great narrative frame.

Great characters. Hilarious fun. I believe there's going to be a sequel.

Very accessible version. I read it in India and it was a great "rough guide" to the Ramayana, which is probably the biggest source of Hindu mythology.

Essential Indian writer.

I'm loving this book. About half-way through and every story is fascinating and different.

A classic that's still worth reading.

I loved this book, although I completely misunderstood a few things on first reading. Brilliant stories.

Here's a link to my review:
http://wordhoarder.wordpress.com/2009/03/01/review-dangerous-space/

And here's a short blurb I wrote for the booksense list:

This is the best collection of stories I've read in forever. Cutting edge in every sense, Eskridge mines the raw edges of emotion -- love, lust, and fear -- and places her characters in settings just a bit different to our own -- the near future, the recent past, or the slightly fantastic.
If you like Kelly Link, Nicola Griffith or Neil Gaiman you'll love Kelley Eskridge.
http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781933500133

FTC disclosure: I got a review copy from the publisher.

Great read! Here's the review I wrote for indiebound.org:
http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781400078776

'Ishiguro weaves a mysterious tale of a group of children isolated from the world at that quintessentially British institution, the boarding school. Why are they there? Where are their parents? What will happen when school ends? The children try to answer these questions for themselves, and Ishiguro provides surprising, troubling, answers by the end of this gripping novel.'
--Rich Rennicks, Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe, Asheville, NC
www.malaprops.com

Excellent book. Great writer. Slightly futuristic, but very relevant to today's concerns about the environment, gender and the disproportionate influence of large corporations.