Books Read Winter 2004
Explore our curated list of books read during Winter 2004. Discover top reads, hidden gems, and literary favorites from the season to inspire your next great read.
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Myth-told Tales
by Robert Asprin
We've listened to the fans! Collected in this book are three of the four short stories by Robert Asprin and Jody Lynn Nye that introduce the new Myth Adventures Series (the first one, M.Y.T.H. Inc. Instructions, appeared in Something M.Y.T.H. Inc). The new series launched in August 2003 with Myth Alliances, and these stories bridge the gap between Book 12 of the original series (Something) and Book 1 of the new series (or is that Book 13?). In addition to the stories, Myth-Told Tales also includes introductions by both Robert and Jody, as well as full-colour cover art by newcomer Michael Komarck!
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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
by Mark Haddon
Despite his overwhelming fear of interacting with people, Christopher, a mathematically-gifted, autistic, fifteen-year-old boy, decides to investigate the murder of a neighbor's dog and uncovers secret information about his mother.
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Cerulean Sins
by Laurell K. Hamilton
The human consort of Master Vampire Jean-Claude and Micah, the leopard shapeshifter, Anita Blake must come to Jean-Claude's assistance when his oldest ancestor sends one of her vicious and powerful underlings to St. Louis.
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Carpe Jugulum
by Terry Pratchett
It is rare and splendid event when an author is elevated from the underground into the international literary establishment. In the case of England's best-known and best-loved modern satirist, that event has been long overdue. Terry Pratchett's profoundly irreverent Discworld novels satirize and celebrate every aspect of life, modern and ancient, sacred and profane. Consistent number-one bestsellers in England, they have garnered him a secure position in the pantheon of humor along with Mark Twain, Douglas Adams, Matt Groening, and Jonathan Swift. Even so distinguished an author as A. S. Byatt has sung his praises, calling Pratchett's intricate and delightful fictional Discworld "more complicated and satisfying than Oz." His latest satiric triumph, Carpe Jugulum, involves an exclusive royal snafu that leads to comic mayhem. In a fit of enlightenment democracy and ebullient goodwill, King Verence invites Uberwald's undead, the Magpyrs, into Lancre to celebrate the birth of his daughter. But once ensconced within the castle, these wine-drinking, garlic-eating, sun-loving modern vampires have no intention of leaving. Ever. Only an uneasy alliance between a nervous young priest and the argumentative local witches can save the country from being taken over by people with a cultivated bloodlust and bad taste in silk waistcoats. For them, there's only one way to fight. Go for the throat, or as the vampyres themselves say...Carpe Jugulum
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Harry Potter
by J. K. Rowling
During his third year at Hogwarts School for witchcraft and wizardry, Harry Potter must confront the devious and dangerous wizard responsable for his parents death.
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Me Talk Pretty One Day
by David Sedaris
A recent transplant to Paris, humorist David Sedaris, bestselling author of "Naked", presents a collection of his strongest work yet, including the title story about his hilarious attempt to learn French. A number one national bestseller now in paperback.
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The Girls in 3-B
by Valerie Taylor
Three small-town girls move to the big city in this reissue of a classic 1950s pulp.
Book
Bellwether
by Connie Willis
Connie Willis has won more Hugo and Nebula awards than any other science fiction author. Now, with her trademark wit and inventiveness, she explores the intimate relationship between science, pop culture, and the arcane secrets of the heart. Sandra Foster studies fads—from Barbie dolls to the grunge look—how they start and what they mean. Bennett O'Reilly is a chaos theorist studying monkey group behavior. They both work for the HiTek corporation, strangers until a misdelivered package brings them together. It's a moment of synchronicity—if not serendipity—which leads them into a chaotic system of their own, complete with a million-dollar research grant, caffé latte, tattoos, and a series of unlucky coincidences that leaves Bennett monkeyless, fundless, and nearly jobless. Sandra intercedes with a flock of sheep and an idea for a joint project. (After all, what better animal to study both chaos theory and the herd mentality that so often characterizes human behavior?) But scientific discovery is rarely straightforward and never simple, and Sandra and Bennett have to endure a series of setbacks, heartbreaks, dead ends, and disasters before they find their ultimate answer. . . . Praise for Bellwether “One of science fiction's best writers.”—The Denver Post “Connie Willis deploys the apparatus of science fiction to illuminate character and relationships, and her writing is fresh, subtle, and deeply moving.”—The New York Times Book Review “Keen social satire touched with genuine humanity . . . Connie Willis's fiction is one of the most intelligent delights of our genre.”—Locus “A sheer pleasure to read . . . Sprightly, intelligent fun.”—Publishers Weekly