Log of Books I Have Read After 1994

Jump to end of list, to most recently read books.

1995

January
Management: Tasks, Responsibilities, Practices Peter Drucker
The Fountainhead Ayn Rand
The Silent Cry Kenzaburo Oe
Rabbit Run John Updike
Principle-Centered Leadership Stephen Covey
Leadership and the One-Minute Manager Kenneth Blanchard et al
The Shipping News E. Annie Proulx
February
Sula Toni Morrison
A Good Scent From a Strange Mountain Robert Olen Butler
The Confessions of Nat Turner William Styron
Song of Solomon Toni Morrison
Thriving on Chaos, Handbook for a Management Revolution Tom Peters
March
The Shifting Sources of Power and Influence Charles Dwyer
April
Liberation Management, Necessary Disorganization for the Nanosecond Nineties Tom Peters
Understanding the Twelve Steps Terence T. Gorski
Heart Songs and Other Stories E. Annie Proulx
May
Atlas Shrugged Ayn Rand
Creating New Hospital-Physician Collaboration T.S. Wirth and S. Allcorn
June
Postcards E. Annie Proulx
Keepers of the House Shirley Ann Grau
July
Advise and Consent Allen Drury
A Personal Matter Kenzaburo Oe
Pediatric Trauma, Second Edition Robert J. Touloukian (ed)
Rabbit Redux John Updike
August
Physicians in Managed Care, A Career Guide eds: Mark A. Bloomberg and Steven R. Mohlie
The Reivers William Faulkner
Another Roadside Attraction Tom Robbins
If The River Was Whiskey T. Coraghessan Boyle
September
Even Cowgirls Get The Blues Tom Robbins
Waiting to Exhale Terry McMillan
The Tom Peters Seminar, Crazy Times Call for Crazy Organizations Tom Peters
Small Ceremonies Carol Shields
If I Die in a Combat Zone Tim O'Brien
Herzog Saul Bellow
Advances in Anesthesia, Volume 12 eds. Carol Lake, Linda Rice, Richard Sperry
October
The Best American Short Stories 1994 ed. Tobias Wolff
Jitterbug Perfume Tom Robbins
When the Legends Die Hal Borland
Nip the Buds, Shoot the Kids Kenzaburo Oe
November
Not the End of the World Rebecca Stowe
Couples John Updike
The Pearl John Steinbeck
Pablo Neruda: Selected Poems ed. Nathaniel Tarn
Portnoy's Complaint Philip Roth
All That She Can Be Carol Eagle and Carol Colman
Without a Hero T. Coraghessan Boyle
December
The Myth of the A.D.D. Child Thomas Armstrong
The End of Affluence: The Causes and Consequences of America's Economic Dilemma Jeffrey Madrick
If You Want to Write Brenda Ueland
Brazil John Updike

1996

January
Seize the Day Saul Bellow
Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas Tom Robbins
Ben Franklin and the Chamber of Time Chris Heimerdinger
S. John Updike
February
Bird by Bird Anne Lamott
They Whisper Robert Olin Butler
Integrated Health Care: Reorganizing the Physician, Hospital and Health Plan Relationship Dean C. Coddington, Keith D. Moore and Elizabeth A Fischer
The Best American Short Stories 1995 ed. Jane Smiley
March
The Tell-Tale Heart and Other Writings Edgar Allen Poe
The Stone Diaries Carol Shields
Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant Anne Tyler
Advances in Anesthesia, Volume 13 eds. Carol Lake, Linda Rice, Richard Sperry
Barn Blind Jane Smiley
April
In the Lake of the Woods Tim O'Brien
Six Hours One Friday Max Lucado
Snow Falling on Cedars David Guterson
Bech is Back John Updike
Roger's Version John Updike
May
In Contempt Christopher Darden
The Warren Buffet Way, Investment Strategies of the World's Greatest Investor Robert Hagstrom
Fair-Weather Flying, Second Edition Richard Taylor
June
Using the Internet with Windows 95 Jerry Honeycutt
Leading Change James O'Toole
Guide to the Biennial Flight Review Jackie Spanitz
Independence Day Richard Ford
July
Still Life With Woodpecker Tom Robbins
The Country Ahead of Us, the Country Behind David Guterson
Fathering, Strengthening Connection With Your Children No Matter Where You Are Will Glennon
Descent of Man T. Coraghessan Boyle
So Big Edna Ferber
Greasy Lake and Other Stories T. Coraghessan Boyle
August
Operation Shylock, A Confession Philip Roth
The Neon Bible John Kennedy Toole
Using Netscape 2 for Windows 95 Peter Kent
September
Managing the Academic Medical Practice, the Two-Headed Eagle William Nicholas
HTML for Dummies Ed Tittel and Steve James
October
Flash Fiction eds. James Thomas, Denise Thomas and Tom Hazuka
The 8-Week Cholesterol Cure Richard E. Kowalski
The Road to Wellville T. Coraghessan Boyle
Story, Summer 1996 ed. Lois Rosenthal
November
HTML The Definitive Guide Chuck Musciano and Bill Kennedy

1997

January
International Anesthesiology Clinics Vol. 30 No. 4: The Pediatric Airway ed Lawrence M. Borland, M.D.
World Chess Championship 1995: Kasparov vs Anand Daniel King
The Granta Book of the American Short Story ed. Richard Ford
A Farewell to Arms Ernest Hemingway
February
The Best American Short Stories 1996 ed John Edgar Wideman
Iona Moon Melanie Rae Thon
Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution Robert C. Atkins
First, Body Melanie Rae Thon
March
The English Patient Michael Ondaatje
Girls in the Grass Melanie Rae Thon
Scribner's Best of the Fiction Workshops 1997 eds. John Kulka, Natalie Danford
April
Meteors in August Melanie Rae Thon
Skinny Legs and All Tom Robbins
Martin Dressler, The Tale of an American Dreamer Steven Millhauser
May
In the Beauty of the Lilies John Updike
July
Accordion Crimes E. Annie Proulx
August
The Afterlife John Updike
September
The Centaur John Updike
November
Love and Friendship Allison Lurie
December
Marry Me, a Romance John Updike

1998

January
The Wings of the Dove Henry James
The Giant's House, A Romance Elizabeth McCracken
Atticus Ron Hansen
March
A Month of Sundays John Updike
C++ An Introduction to Computing Joel Adams, Sanford Leestma, Larry Nyhoff
April
Story, Winter 1998 ed. Lois Rosenthal
Black Zodiac Charles Wright
Angela's Ashes Frank McCourt
How I Learned to Drive Paula Vogel
May
American Pastoral Philip Roth
June
Story, Summer 1998 ed. Lois Rosenthal
The Best American Short Stories 1997 ed. E. Annie Proulx
July
Story, Spring 1998 ed. Lois Rosenthal
August
Beginning Object-Oriented Analysis and Design Jesse Liberty
Trust Me John Updike
September
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Jean-Dominique Bauby
Will You Always Love Me? Joyce Carol Oates
October
The Tortilla Curtain T. Coraghessan Boyle
10 Minute Guide to Motivating People Marshall J. Cook
Micro Fiction, An Anthology of Really Short Stories ed. Jerome Stern
Two Novels, 17, J Kenzaburo Oe

1999

January
Birds of America Lorrie Moore
February
Anagrams Lorrie Moore
March
Toward the End of Time John Updike
Cold Mountain Charles Frazier
April
Tomcat in Love Tim O'Brien
May
Story, Spring 1999 ed. Lois Rosenthal
The PoorHouse Fair John Updike
Prize Stories, Best of 1998, The O. Henry Awards ed. Larry Dark
Who Will Run the Frog Hospital? Lorrie Moore
Going After Cacciato Tim O'Brien
June
Self-Help Lorrie Moore
Story, Summer 1999 ed. Lois Rosenthal
July
The Hours Michael Cunningham
Best American Short Stories 1998 eds. Garrison Keillor, Katrina Kenison
Like Life Lorrie Moore
Typical Padgett Powell
Edisto Padgett Powell
August
Aliens of Affection Padgett Powell
September
The Witches of Eastwick John Updike
Edisto Revisited Padgett Powell
October
Northern Lights Tim O'Brien
Cat and Mouse Gunter Grass
November
The Tin Drum Gunter Grass
December
Of the Farm John Updike
Story, Winter 2000 ed. Lois Rosenthal
For the Relief of Unbearable Urges Nathan Englander

2000

January
On the Road Jack Kerouac
The Mistress of Spices Chita Banerjee Divakaruni
The Poisonwood Bible Barbara Kingsolver
The Nuclear Age Tim O'Brien
February
Arranged Marriage Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
The Best American Short Stories 1999 eds. Amy Tan, Katrina Kenison
Water Music T. Coraghessan Boyle
Blindness Jose Saramago
Waiting Ha Jin
March
Close Range, Wyoming Stories Annie Proulx
Teach Us To Outgrow Our Madness Kenzaburo Oe
Memoirs of a Geisha Arthur Golden
April
Inside the Sky, A Meditation on Flight William Langewiesche
Riven Rock T. Coraghessan Boyle
In the Pond Ha Jin
May
Memories of the Ford Administration John Updike
June
Master and Commander Patrick O'Brian
The Pilot's Wife Anita Shreve
July
Post Captain Patrick O'Brian
September
The Best American Short Stories of the Century eds. John Updike and Katrina Kenison
In Our Age: America's Empire in the Philippines Stanley Karnow
October
Dusk (Po-on) F. Sionil Jose
Don Vicente (Tree and My Brother, My Executioner) F. Sionil Jose
November
The Sampsons (The Pretenders and Mass) F. Sionil Jose
White Noise Don DeLillo
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone J. K. Rowling

2001

January
The Other Shore Gao Xingjian
The Stories of J. F. Powers J. F. Powers
Baby Boomers, 50 Ain't Bad Gary Perkins
Culture Shock, A Guide to Customs and Etiquette, Philippines Alfredo & Grace Roces
Mao II Don DeLillo
Budding Prospects, A Pastoral T. Coraghessan Boyle
The Love of a Good Woman, Stories Alice Munro
February
Airman's Odyssey (Wind, Sand and Stars, Night Flight, and Flight to Arras) Antonio de Saint-Exupery
Tales of Ordinary Madness Charles Bukowski
Piano Lessons, Music, Love, & True Adventures Noah Adams
Prize Stories 1999 The O. Henry Awards ed. Larry Dark
Americana Don DeLillo
Anesthesiology Clinics of North America September 2000, Perioperative Medicine ed. Peter Rock
March
Prodigal Summer Barbara Kingsolver
The God of Small Things Arundhati Roy
Greenspan, the Man Behind the Money Justin Martin
Advances in Anesthesia, Volume 18 eds. Carol Lake, Linda Rice, Richard Sperry
East of the Mountains David Guterson
The Body Artist Don DeLillo
On to Java, Second Edition Patrick Henry Winston and Sundar Narasimhan
April
House of Sand and Fog Andre Dubus III
A Friend of the Earth T. Coraghessan Boyle
Observatory Mansions Edward Carey
How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci Michael J. Gelb
May
The O. Henry Awards Prize Stories 2000 ed. Larry Dark
Ermita, A Novel F. Sionil Jose
June
Baltasar and Blimunda Jose Saramago
Paradise Toni Morrison
Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates Tom Robbins
July
Problems and Other Stories John Updike
August
Pigeon Feathers and Other Stories John Uddike
GNS 530 Pilot's Guide & Reference Garmin
The Orange Fish Carol Shields
September
A Blind Man Can See How Much I Love You Amy Bloom
The Human Stain Philip Roth
Ravelstein Saul Bellow
October
The Middle East, A Brief History of the Last 2,000 Years Bernard Lewis
Usama bin Laden's al-Qaida: Profile of a Terrorist Network Yonah Alexander and Michael Swetnam
November
ACLS Provider Manual ed. Richard O. Cummins, MD
From This Moment On, A Guide for Those Recently Diagnosed with Cancer Arlene Cotter
Righteous Victims, A History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict, 1881-2001 Benny Morris
December
The Battle for God Karen Armstrong
At Any Cost, How Al Gore Tried to Steal the Election Bill Sammon
The Problem of Pain C. S. Lewis
Licks of Love, Short Stories and a Sequel, Rabbit Remembered John Updike
The Best American Short Stories 2000 eds. E. L. Doctorow, Katrina Kenison
Soul Mountain Gao Xingjian

2002

January
The Hobbit J.R.R. Tolkein
The Abolition of Man C.S. Lewis
The Fellowship of the Ring J.R.R. Tolkein
February
Call If You Need Me, The Uncollected Fiction and Other Prose Raymond Carver
Consciousness, Memoirs John Updike
The Screwtape Letters C.S. Lewis
The Coast of Good Intentions Michael Byers
The Burning House Ann Beatie
Advances in Anesthesia, Volume 19 eds. Carol L. Lake and Joel O. Johnson
The Humanity of God Karl Barth
The Two Towers J.R.R. Tolkein
The Return of the King J.R.R. Tolkein
March
International Anesthesiology Clinics, Health Economics and Pracice Management in Anesthesia eds. Alex Macario and Adrienne C. Lang
A Painted House John Grisham
Letting Go Philip Roth
'A!' His characters teach us truths about ourselves. Even our apparently personal choices may unpredictably effect the lives of others.
April
The Iowa Award, The Best Stories, 1991-2000 ed Frank Conroy
A very nice collection of 21 stories, including some real gems.
Best New American Voices 2001 eds. Charles Baxter, John Kulka, Natalie Danford
We have some very fine up-and-coming writers. Some of these stories just have to be read!
Perl, Weekend Crash Course
Overview of what can be done. More showing than teaching.
May
The God Stealer and Other Stories F. Sionil Jose
Fourteen stories of Filipinos, including some disenchanted expatriates. Published in 1968.
In the Gloaming Alice Elliott Dark
Some very well-written stories here. The title story may well become a classic.
The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway, The Finca Vigia Edition Ernest Hemingway
June
Gertrude and Claudius John Updike
Superb! Brilliantly conceived and masterfully executed 'foreplay' to (Shakespeare's) Hamlet.
Goodbye Columbus and Five Short Stories Philip Roth
Very nice work: insightful look into some fun and interesting characters.
Our Gang Philip Roth
Hilarious satire of politics in the days of President "Trick E. Dixon."
The Same Door John Updike
Sixteen wonderfully told stories of young people in the 1950's learning timeless lessons on the often clumsy climb toward maturity.
July
The Music School John Updike
Superb! Udpike in his peak! Some of the best stories ever written in English.
Bech: A Book John Updike
Wonderful introductory portrayal of writer Henry Beck.
Fish! Stephen C. Lundin, Harry Paul, John Christensen
August
When She Was Good Philip Roth
Compelling, tragic story, very well told.
The Best American Short Stories 2001 eds. Barbara Kingsolver, Katrina Kenison
The Dying Animal Philip Roth
Superb! Mesmerizing, erotic, intoxicating, compassionate top-shelf Roth.
The Brothers Karamazov Fyodor Dostoevsky
September
Underworld Don DeLillo
A masterpiece! Perhaps, the great American novel of the second half of the 20th century.
Bel Canto Ann Patchett
Entertaining story.
Empire Falls Richard Russo
Interesting page-turner.
October
The Adventures of Augie March Saul Bellow
Excellent. Peotic. Insightful. One of the great American novels of the first half of the 20th century.
Miguel Street V.S. Naipaul
Interesting glimpse into the lives of some residents of this slum street in the capital of Trinidad.
A Quiet Life Kenzaburo Oe
A superb, sublimely simple yet multi-layered masterpiece that teaches us, among other things, about Japan and its culture, religious philosophy, the handicapped, Oe and ourselves!
The Coup John Updike
Very good. Satirical tragi-comedy of race and politics in the 70's.
November
A Healing Family Kenzaburo Oe
Candid explanation of the impact on the author's family of his handicapped son, Hikari.
The O. Henry Prize Stories 2002 ed. Larry Dark
Some excellent stories among the twenty -- all good ones.
December
Nine Stories J.D. Salinger
Updike reports being influenced by Salinger's excellent stories.
Mystery and Manners Flannery O'Connor
O'Connor discusses elements of the art of fiction writing.
The Story and Its Writer, An Introduction to Short Fiction, Compact Fifth Edition ed. Ann Charters
Very nice collection of classic stories, remarks by the editor about the authors and by the latter about the writing art.
The Breast Philip Roth

2003

January
Troublemakers John McNally
Stories. Good stuff.
The Ghost Writer Philip Roth
Excellent.
Grass Roof, Tin Roof Dao Strom
Excellent first novel.
Dangling Man Saul Bellow
Very good first novel. Ennui in Chicago's 1940's.
The Great American Novel Philip Roth
Funny, witty, clever, satirical baseball.
February
Recovery John Berryman
Wonderful forward by Saul Bellow and inspiring, educational introduction by Philip Levine. Wanderings of a mind wounded by chronic alcoholism.
Perfume, the Story of a Murderer Patrick Suskind
Intriquing, imaginative, violent olfactory experience on the edge of the bizarre.
Mr. Palomar Italo Calvino
Interesting insights into the nature of looking, seeing and trying to understand.
After the Plague - and other stories T. C. Boyle
Hypermodern, relentlessly gripping, top-shelf Boyle. Some of the best by the best!
Soldiers' Pay William Faulkner
Memorable characters deal with WWI traumas in Faulkner's first novel (1925).
Sabbath's Theater Philip Roth
Sex and death well done a la Roth's Mickey Sabbath.
March
Advances in Anesthesia, Volume 20 eds. Carol L. Lake, Joel O. Johnson, and Thomas M. McLoughlin
War and Peace Leo Tolstoy
Big Bend Bill Roorbach
Good stories.
The Loved One Evelyn Waugh
Unless Carol Shields
Superb! Does more than one can reasonably expect!
The Lovely Bones Alice Sebold
April
That Old Ace in the Hole Annie Proulx
Superior story-telling. Proulx is the Faulkner of the panhandle country
Interesting Women Andrea Lee
Stories delicious and unstoppable, some kissing brilliance.
A History of God, The 4,000 Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam Karen Armstrong
Excellent result of in-depth study and analysis, thoroughly referenced, and complete with glossary, index and further reading list.
June
Writers on Writing eds. Robert Pack and Jay Parini
Wonderful trips into the heads of serious good writers that let us learn about the why's and how's of writing. Inspirational and useful.
Duluth Gore Vidal
Quite funny satire of almost everything seventies.
Complications, A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science Atul Gawande
Very interesting collection of essays and true stories exploring the human side of the art medicine.
July
Libra Don DeLillo
Gripping fictional fleshing out of facts around the assassination of JFK.
Life of Pi Yann Martel
Good story, very well told.
August
The Iowa Review, Volume Thirty-Three Number One, Spring 2003 ed. David Hamilton
Interesting collection of a variety of forms of original new writing.
Ben Singkol, A Novel F. Sionil Jose
September
Think of England Alice Elliot Dark
Very readable and moving tale.
Winter Range Claire Davis
Excellent, eloquent story-telling in her first novel.
Players Don DeLillo
Striking, stark, spooky urban anomie.
The Victim Saul Bellow
The Age of Grief Jame Smiley
My Life as a Man Philip Roth
Excellent. Intriguing, delightful, original, unstoppable, highest-level character development.
October
The Names Don DeLillo
Well-written, intriguing, intersecting stories in a story.
Reading Myself and Others Philip Roth
Fun reading Roth's thoughts on his own work (up to the mid 70's), on the reactions of others to his works and on the writing of Kafka, Bellow, Malamud and others.
July, July Tim O'Brien
Very good. Sensitive, thoughtful, nostalgic study looking at the "then-and-now" of selected members of a class of 1969 at their 30-year reunion.
November
Madame Bovary Gustave Flaubert (translated by Francis Steegmuller)
A delicious classic.
The South Beach Diet Arthur Agatston
Description and recipes of this cardiologist-modified Atkins diet.
Buddenbrooks Thomas Mann (translated by John E. Woods)
Very well told epic tale of a 19th century German family.
December
Tone Deaf and All Thumbs? An Invitation to Music-Making Frank R. Wilson
Interesting, inspirational insights from a neurophysiologist.
Stories Anton Chekhov (translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky)
Thirty wonderful, sensitive, insightful, moving stories by a great master.
Seek My Face John Updike
Awesome. Updike, more than ever, in this latest (2002) novel, naturally and apparently effortlessly, shows how wonderfully engaging our English language can be in the communication of even the finest details that build this elegant, simple characterization into a moving masterpiece.

2004

January
The Eight Essential Traits of Couples Who Thrive Susan Page
Good, clear, basic, useful information.
The Seven Principles For Making Marriage Work John M. Gottman, Ph.D., and Nan Silver
Useful, basic, helpful ideas.
Advances in Anesthesia, Volume 21 eds. Carol L. Lake, Joel O. Johnson, and Thomas M. McLoughlin
The Best American Short Stories 2003 eds. Walter Mosley and Katrina Kenison
I liked especially those by Adam Haslett, Mary Yakuri Waters and Louise Erdrich.
February
The Namesake Jhumpa Lahiri
Zuckerman Unbound Philip Roth
Continuing the outrageous, funny, compassionate tale of Nathan Z.
Ocean of Words Ha Jin
Interesting stories, very well told in this PEN/Hemingway award winner.
You Are Not a Stranger Here Adam Haslett
An impressive debut, these nine wonderfully sensitive, sad but hopeful stories.
Drop City T.C. Boyle
The master does it again with this irresistable, imaginative adventure. Sixties hippie communal group meets Alaskan wilds.
March
The Collected Tales of Nikolai Gogol Nikolai Gogol, trans by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky
Entertaining, imaginative, humorous creations.
Girl with a Pearl Earring Tracy Chevalier
The Anatomy Lesson Philip Roth
The continuing misadventures of Nathan Zuckerman.
The Prague Orgy Philip Roth
Zuckerman trilogy epilogue.
A Relative Stranger Charles Baxter
Some good stories.
Accidents in the Home Tessa Hadley
Her first novel (2002) is an entertaining page-turner spiced with moments of clear insightfullness.
April
The Feast of Love Charles Baxter
In this uniquely and cleverly constructed National Book Award Finalist (2000), several diverse voices take turns telling their compelling intertwined stories of more or less love. Very well done.
Apetites, Why Women Want Caroline Knapp
An autobiographical inside look and feel of anorexia nervosa.
Collected Stories Saul Bellow
True gems by arguably the greatest 20th century American story writer. Inspirational afterward.
May
Islam, A Short History Karen Armstrong
Fine, explanantory introduction to the origin and development of the Islamic sects.
The Laws of Evening Mary Yukari Waters
Very nice debut collection of stories from this prize-winning writer who uncovers subtle but powerful connections of love and awareness across generations of Japanese, many indelibly if unkowingly marked by WW II.
The Actual Saul Bellow
Entertaining novella by the master.
End Zone Don DeLillo
Funny, apparently unlikely characters engaged in college football.
June
Anorexia Nervosa, A Survival Guide for Families, Friends and Sufferers Janet Treasure
A laconic, down-to-earth, to-the-point explanation of anorexia nervosa including practical things to do to help.
The Body Betrayed, A Deeper Understanding of Women, Eating Disorders, and Treatment Kathryn J. Zerbe, M.D.
The Secret Language of Eating Disorders Peggy Claude-Pierre
Unconditional love helps defeat the negative mindset of anorexia nervosa.
One Man's Bible Gao Xingjian
This important semi-autobiograpical novel by a Nobel Prize (Literature) winner lets us look inside Mao Zedong's China while listening to the author's thoughts on the essence of writing.
Villa Incognito Tom Robbins
Off-the-wall wild, imaginative, clever, funny.
July
The Tragedy of Zionism, How Its Revolutionary Past Haunts Israeli Democracy Bernard Avishai
Historical, careful, cogent argument that Israel's survival depends on its ability to adopt true democracy with a constitution and a bill of rights, and, especially, its ability to finally abandon the very Zionism that inspired its formation.
Surfer's Startup: A Beginner's Guide to Surfing, Second Edition Doug Werner
Hawaii James A. Michener
Engrossing epic of the birth, growth, struggles and survival of our 50th state.
Cosmopolis Don DeLillo
Thought-provoking, artistic, stark, suspenseful, violent, modern urban anomie.
August
Walking to Martha's Vineyard Franz Wright
Very fine verse. Thoughtful, spiritual, sad and hopeful.
The Known World Edward P. Jones
A very well told and morally intricate tale of slavery in Virginia in the mid-19th century, including a focus on freed slaves some of whom have become slave-owners themselves.
The Crazed Ha Jin
Well told.
September
I Married a Communist Philip Roth
Interesting character development inside of character development in this study of the intersection of McCarthyism-politics, literature and human nature.
Instrument Pilot FAA Written Exam, Seventh Edition Irvin N. Gleim, PhD., CFII
Very helpful.
October
Nonrequired Reading Wislawa Szymborska
How fun to get to know this Nobel prize winning poet (Literature, 1996) by reading sketches inspired by books she has read.
The Instrument Flight Manual, The Instrument Rating and Beyond, Sixth Edition William K. Kershner
2002 edition. Excellent.
Love Toni Morrison
Very artfully knit tale of love, hate, tragedy, love.
Aviation Instructor's Handbook, FAA-H-8083-9 Federal Aviation Administration
1999 edition. The essential basics, well-explained.
November
Crowded with Genius, The Scottish Enlightenment: Edinburgh's Moment of the Mind James Buchan
Interesting, entertaining historical/biographical portrait of Edinburgh and it's people in the latter 18th century as the source of the intellectual foundations for much of the modern world. Very well researched/referenced with extensive footnotes in a separate section.
December
Web Pages That Suck, Learning Good Design by Looking at Bad Design Vincent Flanders and Michael Willis
Helpful basic tips.

2005

January
JavaScript for the World Wide Web, 2nd edition Tom Negrino and Dori Smith
Good place to start learning what JavaScript can do.
The Plot Against America Philip Roth
Imaginative rewrite of American history circa WWII pointing us in the direction of a homefront Jewish pogrom, told from the viewpoint of school aged Philip and his New Jersey family.
March
Walk on Water, The Miracle of Saving Children's Lives Michael Ruhlman
An study of pediatric congenital heart surgery, especially as practiced by the Cleveland Clinic Foundation group led by Dr. Roger Mee.
April
The Hour of the Star Clarice Lispector
Translated (and with an enlightening afterword) by Giovanni Pontiero. Very interesting. Lispector tells a moving story and much about the creative process that shapes it.
May
Great Jones Street Don DeLillo
Rock-n-roll burn-out, drop-out, paranoid 60's psych-out via tuned-in master DeLillo.
Conversational Tagalog, A Functional-Situational Approach Teresita V. Ramos
Excellent way to begin learning Tagalog. Magaling na magaling ito.
The Confessions of Max Tivoli Andrew Sean Greer
Tragic and moving tale of Max who lived life backwards - from old age to youth.
Their Eyes Were Watching God Zora Neale Hurston
20th century (1937) southern American (Florida) classic.
The Barracks Thief Tobias Wolff
Fine story. Very fine story-telling.
The Best American Short Stories 2004 eds. Lorrie Moore, Katrina Kenison
A wonderful collection of very fine gems.
June
Slander, Liberal Lies About the American Right Ann Coulter
Witty, sharp, well-referenced.
The Counterlife Philip Roth
Masterfully imaginative variations of stories within variations of stories.
The Diary of Anais Nin, Volume I, 1931-1934 Anais Nin
Interesting how and what Ms. Nin writes about herself and her associates; and interesting what she leaves out.
Lucky Girls Nell Freudenberger
Five good stories from bright new (2003) talent. Especially liked the well-constructed last long story.
July
War Trash Ha Jin
Very fine, moving, well-referenced look into the heart and soul of especially one Chinese prisoner of South Korea (and the U.S.) during the Korean War in the 1950's.
Living to Tell the Tale Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Fun read. Translated (Spanish) by Edith Grossman. Nobel prize winning story teller tells the tale of his family, his Columbia, the beginnings of his writing adventure.
In the Heart of the Country J. M. Coetzee
Outstanding piece of work. Takes the reader inside the mind and soul of sociopathic, murderous Miss Magda as she increasingly isolates herself and becomes a tragic hermit alone on her dying farm.
Waiting for the Barbarians J. M. Coetzee
Irresistable page-turner with resounding ring of truth.
August
Digital Fortress Dan Brown
Quick fun read.
My Name is Red Orhan Pamuk
Wonderful, deliciously rich offering: love story, double murder mystery, philosophy and theology of art and painting, in 16th-century Islamic Turkey. Translated (Turkish) by Erdag M. Guknar.
How to Breathe Under Water Julie Orringer
Nine very fine, sensitive stories of growing up.
September
Snow Orhan Pamuk
An important, timely (2004), serious and farcical, classic and modern, elegant masterpiece. Pamuk shows how the inspiration and creativity of art and media can expose the human fraility at the intersection of religion and politics in political Islam. Translated (Turkish) by Maureen Freely.
Disgrace J. M. Coetzee
Another irresistable page turner.
Life & Times of Michael K J. M. Coetzee
Masterful telling of an important story that no one else would tell or could tell so well.
The Inner Circle T. C. Boyle
Master Boyle plus Professor A. Kinsey of the infamous Kinsey Reports = sex in large doses. Can love survive?
October
The White Castle Orhan Pamuk
Fascinating brain teaser.
November
Mastering GPS Flying Phil Dixon and Sherwood Harris
Useful for learning and teaching.
December
How People Recover from Eating Disorders Linda Riebel and Jane Rachel Kaplan
Excellent resource based on thorough research and years of experience.

2006

January
Mastering Instrument Flying, Third Edition Henry Sollman and Sherwood Harris
Based on years of practical experience. Very fine, complete explanation of what it takes to effectively teach and learn all elements required to fly safely and competently under instrument flight rules.
All the Pretty Horses Cormac McCarthy
Great story. Superior story telling. Hint of Hemingway.
Bad Dirt, Wyoming Stories 2 Annie Proulx
The definitive voice of comedy and tragedy among the people of rural Wyoming.
Flying IFR, Fourth Edition Richard L. Collins
Practical guidance based on study and lots of experience.
The Golden Cage, the Enigma of Anorexia Nervosa Hilde Bruch, M.D.
Very readable classic (1978) analysis by psychiatrist Bruch based on caring for many seriously ill patients. Includes interesting important remarks from several recovered patients looking back.
February
The Crossing Cormac McCarthy
Superior story telling.
May
The Da Vinci Code Dan Brown
Intriguing story. Entertaining read. I bet the movie will be better. (Addendum: Almost impossibly, the movie was worse than the book.)
Instrument Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-15, 2001 FAA
The definitive text for instrument students and instructors.
July
Rod Machado's Instrument Pilot's Survival Manual, Second Edition Rod Machado
Excellent. Entertaining and educational.
August
Instrument Flying, Fourth Edition Richard L. Taylor
Practical perspective of an experienced aviation educator.
September
The Pilot's Manual 3, Instrument Flying, Fourth Edition Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc
Comprehensive text.
Instrument Procedures Handbook FAA-H-8261-1, 2004
Excellent review of NAS for instrument pilots. Lots of great illustrations.
Instrument Oral Exam Guide, Sixth Edition Michael D. Hayes
Good preparatory review.
October
Under the Red Flag Ha Jin
Very well-told stories of Red China's culturally reformed Fort Dismount.
Housekeeping Marilynne Robinson
Powerful, delicious, sensitive, moving masterpiece.
Villages John Updike
The inimitable, unstoppable Updike continues to deliver good stuff.
Gilead Marilynn Robinson
Remarkable, inspirational meditation. Updike should read this one.
No Country for Old Men Cormac McCarthy
A McCarthy masterpiece. Destined to be a classic. Never a dull anything. Plot, characterizations, narration, organization, thematic concepts/ideas - everything superior. ('R' for violence.)
The Professor of Desire Philip Roth
Entertaining.
Of Love and Other Demons Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Very fine.
November
Deception Philip Roth
Very clever. Exclusively dialog. Explores grey area connecting autobioghraphic fact and literary fiction.
Wild Ducks Flying Backward Tom Robbins
Eclectic bits of nonfiction.
The Orchard Keeper Cormac McCarthy
Wonderful first novel. A puzzle of poetic pieces that paint a picture of life and death in the whiskey business of prohibition-era rural Tennessee where one may hear the "rain mendicant-voiced, soft chanting in that dark gramarye that summons the earth to bridehood."
December
Eat the Document Dana Spiotta
Very good read.
The Black Book Orhan Pamuk
Gorgeous translation and informative afterward by Maureen Freely. Istanbul, Turkey, 1980's, missing persons, mystery, identity crises. "You become someone else when you read a story." "Because nothing is as surprising as life. Except for writing."

2007

January
Tooth and Claw T. C. Boyle
Masterful. Fourteen stories.
February
The Best American Short Stories 2006
Twenty fine stories. Especially liked those by Katherine Bell, David Bezmozgis, Mary Gaitskill, Yiyun Li, Kevin Moffett, and Maxine Swain.
March
The Inheritance of Loss Kiran Desai
Man Booker Prize winner 2006. Good look at the postcolonial Indian immigrant angst and powerlessness of several rather interesting characters.
May
Effective Java, Programming Language Guide Joshua Bloch
Superb. 57 clearly explained items certain to enhance your Java programs.
Crash Diet Jill McCorkle
Enjoyable read. Funny, wry stories of life and love.
Difficult Conversations, How to Discuss What Matters Most Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, Sheila Heen
Helpful, useful, clearly written.
The Road Cormac McCarthy
A merciless masterpiece. Powerful. Moving.
June
Simulation in Anesthesia Christopher J. Gallagher and S. Barry Issenberg
Super. Just the right place for anyone to learn everything about the theory and practice of simulation applied to anesthesia.
A Thousand Years of Good Prayers Yiyun Li
These ten delicious stories won the Frank O'Conner International Short Story award and the Hemingway/PEN award for distinguished first book of fiction. Keep up the good work.
August
Everyman Philip Roth
Who says you can't kill off your main character? The intriguing lead player in this drama - who amazingly remains unnamed - is dead before the novel begins - at his funeral. But somehow we still care. Well done, Mr. Roth.
The Rings of Saturn W.G. Sebald (translated from German by Michael Hulse)
Clothed as a walking tour of the eastern coast of England, a richly substantiated analysis of selected interesting, sometimes obscure, elements of English, European and world history. A fascinating history lesson.
September
Permanent Visitors Kevin Moffett
This collection of eight delicious stories by a gifted new writer won the John Simmons Short Fiction Award, judged by George Saunders, and was long-listed for the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award.
November
Talk Talk T.C. Boyle
Cinematic adventure in identity theft.
The Photograph Penelope Lively
Superior story telling.
Things Kept, Things Left Behind Jim Tomlinson
Wow! Tomlinson's must-read short story "Things Kept" is near perfection! Tomlinson has the gift.

2008

January
Desert Gothic Don Waters

Good stories. Very interesting images of unique likable western American desert nomad types. Iowa short fiction winner.

February
The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Douglas Adams

The five HitchHiker's Guide novels plus one short story tell the whole fun, imaginative story. From corny to often hilarious. Last two novels are the best. Don't Panic.

March
Terrorist John Updike

Updike tells a good story. Unexpected ending to this one.

The Gathering Anne Enright

Well constructed in original style. Shaky gal destabilized in dealing with death of brother.

March Geraldine Brooks

Pullitzer Prize winning, very well imagined story of what happened to Mr. March, the father of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women when he was away from them and involved in and terribly changed by the Civil War.

May
Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care, The One Essential Parenting Book, 8th Edition Benjamin Spock MD and Robert Needleman MD

Very readable reference, full of good practical advice regarding all things parents need to know from breast-feeding to deciding about college.

The No-Cry Sleep Solution, Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night Elizabeth Pantley

Very helpful, quieter but effective alternative to the "let-him-cry-it-out" technic.

The Happiest Baby on the Block Harvey Karp

Practical, thoroughly explained, how-to comfort even the colicky young infant using the five S's: swaddling, side/stomach positioning, shushing, swinging, sucking.

The O'Henry Prize Stories 2007 eds. Charles D'Ambrosio, Ursula K. Le Guin, Lily Tuck

Twenty very fine stories. Especially enjoyed those by William Trevor, Eddie Chuculate, Sana Krasikov, Jan Ellison, Andrew Altschul and Susan Straight.

June
The Immortal Game, A History of Chess David Shenk

Very interesting examination of the historical significance of chess alternating with an analysis of Anderssen's immortal game of 1851.

August
The Baby Sleep Coach System, from A to Zzz in Seven Simple Steps Heather Pizzo, Psy.D.

Best one. This method is actually doable and it works! Sweet dreams.

October
One Hundred Euphemsims for Mountain John Washington

I think this talented new writer's first novel would be even more effective if he would more simply just tell the story.

The Grass is Singing Doris Lessing

Powerful, depressing tale of poverty, insanity and murder in early racist South Africa. First novel by Nobel prize winner.

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao Junot Diaz

Off-the-wall, irresistable story-telling.

November
The Great Man Kate Christensen

Well done. There is real life after 70.

She's Come Undone Wally Lamb

Ouch.

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