Zach Recommends

The Secret Miracle: The Novelist's Handbook
edited by Daniel Alarcón
978-0-8050-8714-7
Henry Holt
$16.00

Secrets. Miracles. Revelations. Don't have a charming redhead to propel you into creativity? Try this instead! A wide ranging collection of writers talk about what gets them going, what keeps them going, about fears, deadlines & projections — inspirations, paintings & writers they admire. If you can't track down Chris Abani, Paul Auster or Michael Chabon, settle with this.

Frank Recommends

Wicked River: The Mississippi When It Last Ran Wild
by Lee Sandlin
978-0-307-37851-4
Pantheon
$26.95

A rollicking history of the Mississippi River, before Mark Twain, before it was changed and semi-tamed. Full of historical tidbits that will keep you reading!

Debra Recommends

Who Fears Death
by Nnedi Okorafor
978-0-7564-0669-1
DAW
$15.00

The strong, magic-wielding young woman, Onyesonwu (who fears death?), goes up against warring genocidal African tribes in the post-apocalyptic Saharan desert. Violent, disturbing, harsh — beautiful, moving, memorable.